Duplex optical connector plug and polarity reversal method of duplex optical connector plug

ABSTRACT

In a duplex optical connector plug  10 A, when one of first and second optical connector assemblies  11   a,    11   b  is rotated around its axis in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction, a rotational force of one of first and second gears is transmitted to the other of the gears by an intermediate gear. Thereby, interlockingly with the one of the optical connector assemblies  11   a,    11   b , the other of the optical connector assemblies  11   a,    11   b  is rotated around its axis in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction which is the same direction as the optical connector assemblies  11   a,    11   b.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of priority and is a Continuation application of the prior International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2017/023507, with an international filing date of Jun. 27, 2017, which designated the United States, and is related to the Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-129334 filed Jun. 29, 2016 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-016754 filed Feb. 1, 2017, the entire disclosures of all applications are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The preset invention relates to a duplex optical connector plug and also relates to a polarity reversal method for reversing a polarity of the duplex optical connector plug. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a ferrule polishing method for polishing first and second ferrules of the duplex optical connector plug by angled polishing.

BACKGROUND ART

It is disclosed that a duplex optical fiber connector having two optical connector assemblies arranged in the lateral direction and capable of independently rotating the optical connector assemblies in the opposite direction from each other (U.S. Pat. No. 8,152,385 B2). In the duplex optical fiber connector described above, the polarity of the optical connector assemblies can be reversed by separately rotating the optical connector assemblies by 180° in the opposite direction.

It is disclosed that an optical fiber connector having two outer housings arranged in the lateral direction and ferrule holders housed in the outer housings, wherein keys are formed on the outer housings and key slots are formed on the ferrule holders (U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,567 B1). In the optical fiber connector described above, the ferrule holders can be rotated by 90° with respect to the outer housings. By rotating the ferrule holders by 90°, the ferrules can be simultaneously polished by angled polishing.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

-   Patent Document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 8,152,385 B2 -   Patent Document 2: U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,567 B1

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

In the duplex optical fiber connector described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,152,385 B2, when shifting the polarity of the optical connector assemblies, it is necessary to rotate one of the optical connector assemblies in a clockwise direction and then rotate the other of the optical connector assemblies in a counterclockwise direction. Since the optical connector assemblies cannot be simultaneously rotated in the same direction, much labor and time is required to reverse the polarity.

In the optical fiber connector described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,567 B1, it is necessary to push the ferrule holders in the axial direction of the outer housings against a biasing force of a spring to release the engagement between the keys and the slots and it is necessary to rotate the ferrule holders by 90° in that state. Since the rotating operation of the ferrule holders is complicated, operability is further deteriorated in small optical fiber connectors.

A purpose of the present invention is to provide a duplex optical connector plug capable of rotating one of the first and second optical connector assemblies and simultaneously rotating the other of the optical connector assemblies in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug capable of reversing the polarity by simultaneously rotating the first and second optical connector assemblies in the same direction without requiring labor and time. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a ferrule polishing method capable of simultaneously rotating the first and second optical connector assemblies in the same direction by a quarter-rotation from a starting point of the rotation and capable of simultaneously polishing the first and second ferrules polished by angled polishing.

Means for Solving the Problem

The first precondition of the present invention to solve the above described problem is a duplex optical connector plug, comprising: a first optical connector assembly; and a second optical connector assembly which is in parallel with the first optical connector assembly, wherein the first optical connector assembly has: a first plug frame for housing a first ferrule which holds a first optical fiber and extends in an axial direction; a first stop ring which is engageably inserted into the first plug frame; and a first spring which is arranged between the first ferrule and the first stop ring for biasing the first ferrule forward in the axial direction, the second optical connector assembly has: a second plug frame for housing a second ferrule which holds a second optical fiber and extends in the axial direction; a second stop ring which is engageably inserted into the second plug frame; and a second spring which is arranged between the second ferrule and the second stop ring for biasing the second ferrule forward in the axial direction.

In the first precondition of the present invention, the first feature of the duplex optical connector plug is that when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis, the other of the optical connector assemblies is interlockingly rotated around its axis in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies.

As an example of the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, a first gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the first stop ring, a second gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the second stop ring, the duplex optical connector plug includes an intermediate gear which is interposed between the first gear and the second gear, extended in the axial direction, and circumscribed to the first and second gears, and the intermediate gear transmits a rotational force of one of the first and second gears to the other of the gears and rotates the other of the gears in the same direction as the one of the gears.

As another example of the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, the duplex optical connector plug has gears which transmit a rotational force of one of the first and second optical connector assemblies to the other of the optical connector assemblies, and in the duplex optical connector plug, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis, the other of the optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis by the gears interlockingly with a rotation of the one of the optical connector assemblies.

As another example of the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, the gears comprise: a first gear which is formed on the rear end portion of the first stop ring and extended in the axial direction; a second gear which is formed on the rear end portion of the second stop ring and extended in the axial direction; and an intermediate gear which is interposed between the first gear and the second gear, extended in the axial direction, and circumscribed to the first and second gears, and the intermediate gear transmits a rotational force of one of the first and second gears to the other of the gears and rotates the other of the gears in the same direction as the one of the gears.

As another example of the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, a gear ratio of the first gear, the second gear and the intermediate gear is 1:1:1.

As another example of the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, the duplex optical connector plug includes a first casing for housing: the rear end portion of the first stop ring on which the first gear is formed; the rear end portion of the second stop ring on which the second gear is formed; and the intermediate gear; and the first casing has a first gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the first stop ring, a second gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the second stop ring and an intermediate gear housing portion arranged between the first and second gear housing portions for rotatably housing the intermediate gear.

As another example of the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, the duplex optical connector plug includes a rotating angle regulating unit which regulates a rotating angle of at least one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, the first casing has a first opening opened at the front end of the first casing for inserting the first stop ring and a second opening opened at the front end of the first casing for inserting the second stop ring, the rotating angle regulating unit comprises: a rotation regulating projection formed on at least one of the first and second openings, the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the first and second openings; and an abutting projection formed on a peripheral surface of at least one of the first and second stop rings, the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the peripheral surface, in the duplex optical connector plug, the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is prevented when the abutting projection abuts on the rotation regulating projection, and a rotation range from a starting point to a finishing point of the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is a half-rotation when the rotation is regulated by the rotating angle regulating unit.

As another example of the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, the duplex optical connector plug includes a rotating angle regulating unit which regulates a rotating angle of at least one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, the rotating angle regulating unit comprises: an abutting projection formed on at least one of the first and second gears, the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the first and second gears; and a rotation regulating projection formed on at least one of the first gear housing portion and the second gear housing portion of the first casing, the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the first gear housing portion and the second gear housing portion, in the duplex optical connector plug, the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is prevented when the abutting projection abuts on the rotation regulating projection, and a rotation range from a starting point to a finishing point of the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is a half-rotation when the rotation is regulated by the rotating angle regulating unit.

As another example of the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, the duplex optical connector plug includes a second casing for housing the first casing in the axial direction, the second casing has a front end opening opened at the front end of the second casing and an engagement latch extending in the axial direction from a top wall of the second casing so as to be exposed forward in the axial direction from the front end opening, and when the first and second optical connector assemblies are inserted into an optical connector adapter, the engagement latch is detachably engaged with the optical connector adapter to maintain the state that the first and second optical connector assemblies are inserted into the optical connector adapter.

As another example of the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, the second casing can house the first casing in a state that the top wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing or in a state that the top wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing.

As another example of the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, the duplex optical connector plug includes a slider located rearward in the axial direction of the second casing, the slider being connected to the second casing slidably in the axial direction, in the duplex optical connector plug, an engagement state of the engagement latch and the optical connector adapter is maintained when the slider is not slid rearward in the axial direction with respect to the second casing, and when the slider is slid rearward in the axial direction with respect to the second casing, the engagement latch is pushed down by the slider to release the engagement state of the engagement latch and the optical connector adapter.

As another example of the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, the slider has a sliding top wall which is slidable on an upper surface of the engagement latch in the axial direction, the sliding top wall having an inclined plane gradually inclined downward from the front end of the slider to rearward in the axial direction, and in the duplex optical connector plug, when the slider is slid rearward in the axial direction with respect to the second casing, the engagement latch is pushed down by the inclined plane of the sliding top wall.

The second precondition of the present invention to solve the above described problem is a polarity reversal method for reversing a polarity of a duplex optical connector plug, the duplex optical connector plug, comprising: a first optical connector assembly; and a second optical connector assembly which is in parallel with the first optical connector assembly, wherein the first optical connector assembly has: a first plug frame for housing a first ferrule which holds a first optical fiber and extends in an axial direction; a first stop ring which is engageably inserted into the first plug frame; and a first spring which is arranged between the first ferrule and the first stop ring for biasing the first ferrule forward in the axial direction, the second optical connector assembly has: a second plug frame for housing a second ferrule which holds a second optical fiber and extends in the axial direction; a second stop ring which is engageably inserted into the second plug frame; and a second spring which is arranged between the second ferrule and the second stop ring for biasing the second ferrule forward in the axial direction.

In the second precondition of the present invention, the first feature of the polarity reversal method is that when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis from a starting point to a finishing point of a rotation by a half-rotation, the other of the optical connector assemblies is interlockingly rotated around its axis from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies and the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug is reversed by that.

As another example of the polarity reversal method of the present invention, in the duplex optical connector plug, a first gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the first stop ring, a second gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the second stop ring, and an intermediate gear which is interposed between the first gear and the second gear and extended in the axial direction is circumscribed to the first and second gears, in the polarity reversal method, the first and second optical connector assemblies are rotated from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation and the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug is reversed by transmitting a rotational force of the one of the first and second gears to the other of the gears using the intermediate gear to rotate both the first and second gears in the same direction by a half-rotation.

In the second precondition of the present invention, the second feature of the polarity reversal method is that the duplex optical connector plug has gears which transmit a rotational force of the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies to the other of the assemblies, and the polarity reversal method comprising the step of rotating one of the first and second optical connector assemblies around its axis from a starting point to a finishing point of a rotation by a half-rotation, wherein the other of the optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis by the gears interlockingly with the rotation of the one of the optical connector assemblies from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies, and the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug is reversed by the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies.

As another example of the polarity reversal method of the present invention, the gears comprise: a first gear which is formed on the rear end portion of the first stop ring and extended in the axial direction; a second gear which is formed on the rear end portion of the second stop ring and extended in the axial direction; and an intermediate gear which is interposed between the first gear and the second gear, extended in the axial direction, and circumscribed to the first and second gears, the intermediate gear transmits a rotational force of one of the first and second gears to the other of the gears and rotates the other of the gears in the same direction as the one of the gears, and in the polarity reversal method, the first and second optical connector assemblies are rotated from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation and the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug is reversed by transmitting a rotational force of the one of the first and second gears to the other of the first and second gears using the intermediate gear to rotate both the first and second gears in the same direction by a half-rotation.

As another example of the polarity reversal method of the present invention, the duplex optical connector plug includes a first casing having a first gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the first stop ring on which the first gear is formed, a second gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the second stop ring on which the second gear is formed, and an intermediate gear housing portion located between the first and second gear housing portions for rotatably housing the intermediate gear, and in the polarity reversal method, the first and second optical connector assemblies are rotated from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation and the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug is reversed by transmitting the rotational force of the one of the first and second gears housed in the first and second gear housing portions to the other of the gears using the intermediate gear housed in the intermediate gear housing portion to rotate both the first and second gears in the same direction by a half-rotation.

As another example of the polarity reversal method of the present invention, the duplex optical connector plug includes a rotating angle regulating unit which regulates a rotating angle of at least one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, the first casing has a first opening opened at the front end of the first casing for inserting the first stop ring and a second opening opened at the front end of the first casing for inserting the second stop ring, the rotating angle regulating unit comprises: a rotation regulating projection formed on at least one of the first and second openings, the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the first and second openings; and an abutting projection formed on a peripheral surface of at least one of the first and second stop rings, the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the peripheral surface, in the polarity reversal method, the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is prevented and the rotation range of the first and second optical connector assemblies is limited to the half-rotation when the abutting projection abuts on the rotation regulating projection.

As another example of the polarity reversal method of the present invention, the duplex optical connector plug includes a rotating angle regulating unit which regulates a rotating angle of at least one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, the rotating angle regulating unit comprises: an abutting projection formed on a peripheral surface of at least one of the first gear and the second gear, the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the first and second gears; and a rotation regulating projection formed on at least one of the first gear housing portion and the second gear housing portion of the first casing, the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the first gear housing portion and the second gear housing portion, in the polarity reversal method, the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is prevented and the rotation range of the first and second optical connector assemblies is limited to the half-rotation when the abutting projection abuts on the rotation regulating projection.

As another example of the polarity reversal method of the present invention, the duplex optical connector plug includes a second casing for housing the first casing in the axial direction, the second casing has a front end opening opened at the front end of the second casing and an engagement latch extending in the axial direction from a top wall of the second casing so as to be exposed forward in the axial direction from the front end opening, and when the first and second optical connector assemblies are inserted into an optical connector adapter, the engagement latch is detachably engaged with the optical connector adapter to maintain the state that the first and second optical connector assemblies are inserted into the optical connector adapter.

As another example of the polarity reversal method of the present invention, the second casing can house the first casing in a state that the top wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing or in a state that the top wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing, thus the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be reversed.

As another example of the polarity reversal method of the present invention, the first casing is drawn out forward in the axial direction from the second casing and the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation, the other of the optical connector assemblies is interlockingly rotated around its axis from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation, and the first casing is housed in the second casing so that the top wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing, thus the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be reversed.

The third precondition of the present invention to solve the above described problem is a ferrule polishing method for polishing first and second ferrules of a duplex optical connector plug by angled polishing, the duplex optical connector plug comprising: a first optical connector assembly; and a second optical connector assembly which is in parallel with the first optical connector assembly, wherein the first optical connector assembly has: a first plug frame for housing a first ferrule which holds a first optical fiber and extends in an axial direction; a first stop ring which is engageably inserted into the first plug frame; and a first spring which is arranged between the first ferrule and the first stop ring for biasing the first ferrule forward in the axial direction, the second optical connector assembly has: a second plug frame for housing a second ferrule which holds a second optical fiber and extends in the axial direction; a second stop ring which is engageably inserted into the second plug frame; a second spring which is arranged between the second ferrule and the second stop ring for biasing the second ferrule forward in the axial direction.

In the third precondition of the present invention, the feature of the ferrule polishing method is that when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis by a quarter-rotation from a starting point, the other of the optical connector assemblies is interlockingly rotated around its axis by a quarter-rotation from the starting point in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies and the first and second ferrules are simultaneously polished by angled polishing using an optical fiber ferrule polishing device in a state that the first and second optical connector assemblies are rotated by a quarter-rotation from a use state of the duplex optical connector plug.

As an example of the ferrule polishing method of the present invention, in the duplex optical connector plug, a first gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the first stop ring, a second gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the second stop ring, and an intermediate gear which is interposed between the first gear and the second gear and extended in the axial direction is circumscribed to the first and second gears, and in the ferrule polishing method, a rotational force of the one of the first and second gears is transmitted to the other of the gears using the intermediate gear to rotate both the first and second gears in the same direction by a quarter-rotation to simultaneously polish the first and second optical connector assemblies by angled polishing.

As another example of the ferrule polishing method of the present invention, the duplex optical connector plug includes a first casing having a first gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the first stop ring on which the first gear is formed, a second gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the second stop ring on which the second gear is formed, and an intermediate gear housing portion located between the first and second gear housing portions for rotatably housing the intermediate gear, and in the ferrule polishing method, the rotational force of the one of the first and second gears housed in the first and second gear housing portions is transmitted to the other of the first and second gears using the intermediate gear housed in the intermediate gear housing portion to rotate both the first and second gears in the same direction by a quarter-rotation to simultaneously polish the first and second optical connector assemblies by angled polishing.

Effects of the Invention

By using the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis, the other of the optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis. Thus, the other of the optical connector assemblies can be rotated only by rotating the one of the optical connector assemblies. In the duplex optical connector plug, when one of the optical connector assemblies is rotated, the other of the optical connector assemblies is rotated. Thus, the first and second optical connector assemblies can be rotated by one rotating operation (one action). Therefore, labor and time can be saved compared to the case of separately rotating the optical connector assemblies.

In the duplex optical connector plug, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction, the other of the optical connector assemblies is interlockingly rotated around its axis in the same direction (clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction) as the one of the optical connector assemblies. Thus, only by rotating one of the optical connector assemblies, the other of the optical connector assemblies can be simultaneously rotated in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies. In the duplex optical connector plug, the first and second optical connector assemblies are simultaneously rotated in the same direction. Thus, the first and second optical connector assemblies can be simultaneously rotated by one rotating operation (one action). Therefore, labor and time can be saved compared to the case of separately rotating the optical connector assemblies.

In the duplex optical connector plug, a first gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the first stop ring, a second gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the second stop ring, the duplex optical connector plug includes an intermediate gear which is interposed between the first gear and the second gear, extended in the axial direction, and circumscribed to the first and second gears, and the intermediate gear transmits a rotational force of one of the first and second gears to the other of the gears and rotates the other of the gears in the same direction as the one of the gears. When one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction, the rotational force is transmitted from one of the first and second gears to the other of the gears via the intermediate gear. Thus, by using the gears, the other of the optical connector assemblies can be simultaneously rotated in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies.

In the duplex optical connector plug, a gear ratio of the first gear, the second gear and the intermediate gear is 1:1:1. Since the gear ratio of the gears are configured to 1:1:1, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction, the other of the optical connector assemblies is rotated at the same rotating angle as the one of the optical connector assemblies. Thus, the rotation range from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation can be configured to be the same between the first and second optical connector assemblies. Therefore, when one of the optical connector assemblies is rotated, the other of the optical connector assemblies can be rotated to the same position as the one of the optical connector assemblies.

In the duplex optical connector plug, the duplex optical connector plug includes a first casing for housing the rear end portion of the first stop ring on which the first gear is formed, the rear end portion of the second stop ring on which the second gear is formed and the intermediate gear, and the first casing has a first gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the first stop ring, a second gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the second stop ring and an intermediate gear housing portion arranged between the first and second gear housing portions for rotatably housing the intermediate gear. When one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction, the rotational force is transmitted from one of the first and second gears rotatably housed in the first and second gear housing portions to the other of the gears via the intermediate gear rotatably housed in the intermediate gear housing portion. Thus, by using the gears housed in the housing portions, the other of the optical connector assemblies can be simultaneously rotated in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies.

In the duplex optical connector plug, the duplex optical connector plug includes a rotating angle regulating unit which regulates a rotating angle of at least one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, and a rotation range from a starting point to a finishing point of the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is a half-rotation when the rotation is regulated by the rotating angle regulating unit. The rotation range from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is limited to a half-rotation by the rotating angle regulating unit. When reversing the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug, for example, the polarity can be certainly and accurately reversed by stopping the rotation of the optical connector assemblies at the position where the optical connector assemblies are rotated by a half-rotation in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction. On the contrary, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be certainly and accurately returned to the original state by rotating the clockwisely rotated optical connector assemblies in the counterclockwise direction by a half-rotation. In addition, since the optical connector assemblies are prevented from being rotated endlessly, disconnection of the optical fiber caused by twisting can be prevented.

In the duplex optical connector plug, the first casing has a first opening opened at the front end of the first casing for inserting the first stop ring and a second opening opened at the front end of the first casing for inserting the second stop ring, and the rotating angle regulating unit comprises: a rotation regulating projection formed on at least one of the first and second openings, the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the openings; and an abutting projection formed on a peripheral surface of at least one of the first and second stop rings, the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the peripheral surface, and the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is prevented when the abutting projection abuts on the rotation regulating projection. Thus, the rotating angle of the optical connector assemblies can be regulated by using the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the openings and the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the peripheral surface. For example, when the rotation range from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation of the optical connector assemblies is specified to be a half-rotation, the rotation range of the optical connector assemblies from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation can be accurately specified to be a half-rotation.

In the duplex optical connector plug, the rotating angle regulating unit comprises: an abutting projection formed on at least one of the first and second gears, the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the gears; and a rotation regulating projection formed on at least one of the first gear housing portion and the second gear housing portion of the first casing, the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the first gear housing portion and the second gear housing portion, and the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is prevented when the abutting projection abuts on the rotation regulating projection. Thus, the rotating angle of the optical connector assemblies can be regulated by using the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the gears and the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the gear housing portions. For example, when the rotation range from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation of the optical connector assemblies is specified to be a half-rotation, the rotation range of the optical connector assemblies from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation can be accurately specified to be a half-rotation.

In the duplex optical connector plug, the duplex optical connector plug includes a second casing for housing the first casing in the axial direction, the second casing has a front end opening opened at the front end of the second casing and an engagement latch extending in the axial direction from a top wall of the second casing so as to be exposed forward in the axial direction from the front end opening, and when the first and second optical connector assemblies are inserted into an optical connector adapter, the engagement latch is detachably engaged with the optical connector adapter to maintain the state that the first and second optical connector assemblies are inserted into the optical connector adapter. Thus, the stop rings of the optical connector plug can be maintained to be inserted into the optical connector adapter by using the engagement latch extending in the axial direction from the top wall of the second casing. Therefore, the first and second optical fibers can be maintained to be optically connected with the optical connectors. If the engagement latch is provided on the first and second plug frames of the first and second optical connector assemblies, the optical connector assemblies cannot be rotated in the same direction by being obstructed by the engagement latch. However, since the engagement latch is provided on the top wall of the second casing, the optical connector assemblies can be rotated in the same direction without being obstructed by the engagement latch.

In the duplex optical connector plug, the second casing can house the first casing in a state that the top wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing or in a state that the top wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing. When reversing the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug, for example, the polarity of the optical connector plug can be reversed by rotating one of the first and second optical connector assemblies. Otherwise, the polarity of the optical connector plug can be reversed by housing the first casing in the second casing in a state that the first casing is vertically reversed.

In the duplex optical connector plug, the duplex optical connector plug includes a slider located rearward in the axial direction of the second casing, the slider being connected to the second casing slidably in the axial direction, an engagement state of the engagement latch and the optical connector adapter is maintained when the slider is not slid rearward in the axial direction with respect to the second casing, and when the slider is slid rearward in the axial direction with respect to the second casing, the engagement latch is pushed down by the slider to release the engagement state of the engagement latch and the optical connector adapter. Thus, the engagement state of the engagement latch and the optical connector adapter is released by sliding the slider rearward in the axial direction with respect to the second casing so that the slider pushes down the engagement latch. Therefore, the optical connector assemblies of the optical connector plug can be pulled out of the optical connector adapter only by the operation of sliding the slider rearward in the axial direction. Consequently, the insertion state of the first and second optical connector assemblies with respect to the optical connector adapter can be easily released.

In the duplex optical connector plug, the slider has a sliding top wall which is slidable on an upper surface of the engagement latch in the axial direction, the sliding top wall having an inclined plane gradually inclined downward from the front end of the slider to rearward in the axial direction, and when the slider is slid rearward in the axial direction with respect to the second casing. Thus, the engagement latch is pushed down by the inclined plane of the sliding top wall, the engagement state of the engagement latch and the optical connector adapter is released by sliding the slider rearward in the axial direction so that the inclined plane of the sliding top wall gradually pushes down the engagement latch. Therefore, the optical connector assemblies of the optical connector plug can be pulled out of the optical connector adapter only by the operation of sliding the slider rearward in the axial direction. Consequently, the insertion state of the first and second optical connector assemblies with respect to the optical connector adapter can be easily released.

By using the polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug of the present invention, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation, the other of the optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation and the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug is reversed. Thus, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be reversed by one rotating operation (one action). Therefore, labor and time can be saved compared to the case of separately rotating the optical connector assemblies to reverse the polarity of the optical connector plug.

In the polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis from a starting point to a finishing point of a rotation by a half-rotation, the other of the optical connector assemblies is interlockingly rotated around its axis from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies. Thus, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be reversed only by rotating one of the first and second optical connector assemblies by a half-rotation. In the polarity reversal method, since the first and second optical connector assemblies are simultaneously rotated in the same direction, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be reversed by one rotating operation (one action). Therefore, labor and time can be saved compared to the case of separately rotating the optical connector assemblies to reverse the polarity of the optical connector plug.

In the polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug, a first gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the first stop ring, a second gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the second stop ring, and an intermediate gear which is interposed between the first gear and the second gear and extended in the axial direction is circumscribed to the first and second gears, and a rotational force of one of the first and second gears can be transmitted to the other of the gears by using the intermediate gear to rotate the other of the gears by a quarter-rotation in the same direction as the one of the gears. Thus, the other of the optical connector assemblies can be simultaneously rotated in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies by using the gears. Therefore, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be reversed by one rotating operation.

In the polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug, the duplex optical connector plug includes a first casing having a first gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the first stop ring on which the first gear is formed, a second gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the second stop ring on which the second gear is formed, and an intermediate gear housing portion located between the first and second gear housing portions for rotatably housing the intermediate gear, and the first and second optical connector assemblies are rotated from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation and the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug is reversed by transmitting the rotational force of one of the first and second gears housed in the first and second gear housing portions to the other of the gears using the intermediate gear housed in the intermediate gear housing portion to rotate both the first and second gears in the same direction by a half-rotation. When one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction, the rotational force is transmitted from one of the first and second gears rotatably housed in the first and second gear housing portions to the other of the gears via the intermediate gear rotatably housed in the intermediate gear housing portion. Thus, the other of the connector assemblies can be simultaneously rotated in the same direction as the one of the connector assemblies by a half-rotation by using the gears rotatably housed in the housing portions. Therefore, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be reversed by one rotating operation.

In the polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug, the duplex optical connector plug includes a rotating angle regulating unit which regulates a rotating angle of at least one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, the rotation range from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is limited to the half-rotation by using the rotating angle regulating unit. Thus, the rotation range from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is limited to a half-rotation by the rotating angle regulating unit. Therefore, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be surely and accurately reversed by stopping the rotation of the optical connector assemblies at the position where the optical connector assemblies are rotated by a half-rotation in the clockwise direction. On the contrary, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be certainly and accurately returned to the original state by rotating the clockwisely rotated optical connector assemblies in the counterclockwise direction by a half-rotation.

In the polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug, the first casing has a first opening opened at the front end of the first casing for inserting the first stop ring and a second opening opened at the front end of the first casing for inserting the second stop ring, the rotating angle regulating unit comprises: a rotation regulating projection formed on at least one of the first and second openings, the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the openings; and an abutting projection formed on a peripheral surface of at least one of the first and second stop rings, the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the peripheral surface, and the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is prevented and the rotation range of the first and second optical connector assemblies is limited to the half-rotation when the abutting projection abuts on the rotation regulating projection. Thus, the rotating angle of the optical connector assemblies can be accurately limited to be a half-rotation by using the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the openings and the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the peripheral surface. Therefore, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be surely and accurately reversed by stopping the rotation of the optical connector assemblies at the position where the optical connector assemblies are rotated by a half-rotation in the clockwise direction. In addition, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be certainly and accurately returned to the original state by rotating the clockwisely rotated optical connector assemblies in the counterclockwise direction by a half-rotation.

In the polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug, the rotating angle regulating unit comprises: an abutting projection formed on a peripheral surface of at least one of the first gear and the second gear, the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the gears; and a rotation regulating projection formed on at least one of the first gear housing portion and the second gear housing portion of the first casing, the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the housing portion, and the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is prevented and the rotation range of the first and second optical connector assemblies is limited to the half-rotation when the abutting projection abuts on the rotation regulating projection. Thus, the rotating angle of the optical connector assemblies can be accurately limited to be a half-rotation by using the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the gears and the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the gear housing portions. Therefore, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be surely and accurately reversed by stopping the rotation of the optical connector assemblies at the position where the optical connector assemblies are rotated by a half-rotation in the clockwise direction. In addition, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be certainly and accurately returned to the original state by rotating the clockwisely rotated optical connector assemblies in the counterclockwise direction by a half-rotation.

In the polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug, the duplex optical connector plug includes a second casing for housing the first casing in the axial direction, the second casing has a front end opening opened at the front end of the second casing and an engagement latch extending in the axial direction from a top wall of the second casing so as to be exposed forward in the axial direction from the front end opening, and when the first and second optical connector assemblies are inserted into an optical connector adapter, the engagement latch is detachably engaged with the optical connector adapter to maintain the state that the first and second optical connector assemblies are inserted into the optical connector adapter. Thus, the stop rings of the optical connector plug can be maintained to be inserted into the optical connector adapter by using the engagement latch extending in the axial direction from the top wall of the second casing. Therefore, the first and second optical fibers can be maintained to be optically connected with the optical connectors before and after the polarity is reversed. If the engagement latch is provided on the first and second plug frames of the first and second optical connector assemblies, the optical connector assemblies cannot be rotated in the same direction by being obstructed by the engagement latch. However, since the engagement latch is provided on the top wall of the second casing, the optical connector assemblies can be rotated in the same direction without being obstructed by the engagement latch. Therefore, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be surely reversed.

In the polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug, the second casing can house the first casing in a state that the top wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing or in a state that the top wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing, thus the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be reversed. Therefore, the polarity of the optical connector assembly can be reversed by rotating one of the first and second optical connector assemblies. Otherwise, the polarity of the optical connector plug can be reversed by housing the first casing in the second casing in a state that the first casing is vertically reversed.

In the polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug, the first casing is drawn out forward in the axial direction from the second casing and the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation, the other of the optical connector assemblies is interlockingly rotated around its axis from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation, and the first casing is housed in the second casing so that the top wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing, thus the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be reversed. Therefore, the polarity of the optical connector assembly can be reversed by rotating one of the first and second optical connector assemblies. Otherwise, the polarity of the optical connector plug can be reversed by housing the first casing in the second casing in a state that the first casing is vertically reversed.

By using the ferrule polishing method of the first and second ferrules of the present invention, the first and second ferrules are simultaneously polished by angled polishing using an optical fiber ferrule polishing device in a state that the first and second optical connector assemblies are rotated by a quarter-rotation from a use state of the duplex optical connector plug. Thus, labor and time of separately polishing the first and second ferrules by angled polishing can be saved. Therefore, the ferrules can be rapidly and efficiently polished by angled polishing.

In the ferrule polishing method, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around its axis by a quarter-rotation from a starting point of a rotation, the other of the optical connector assemblies is interlockingly rotated around its axis by a quarter-rotation from the starting point of the rotation. Thus, the first and second optical connector assemblies can be simultaneously rotated by a quarter-rotation by one rotating operation (one action). Therefore, the first and second ferrules can be simultaneously polished by angled polishing by using the optical fiber ferrule polishing device. In the ferrule polishing method, labor and time of separately rotating the first and second optical connector assemblies to separately polish the first and second ferrules by angled polishing can be saved. Therefore, the ferrules can be rapidly and efficiently polished by angled polishing.

In the ferrule polishing method, a first gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the first stop ring, a second gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the second stop ring, and an intermediate gear which is interposed between the first gear and the second gear and extended in the axial direction is circumscribed to the first and second gears, and a rotational force of one of the first and second gears is transmitted to the other of the gears using the intermediate gear to rotate both the first and second gears in the same direction by a quarter-rotation to simultaneously polish the first and second optical connector assemblies by angled polishing. When one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction, the rotational force is transmitted from one of the first and second gears to the other of the gears via the intermediate gear. Thus, the other of the connector assemblies can be simultaneously rotated in the same direction as the one of the connector assemblies by a half-rotation by using the gears. Therefore, the first and second ferrules can be simultaneously polished by angled polishing using the optical fiber ferrule polishing device.

In the ferrule polishing method, the duplex optical connector plug includes a first casing having a first gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the first stop ring on which the first gear is formed, a second gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the second stop ring on which the second gear is formed, and an intermediate gear housing portion located between the first and second gear housing portions for rotatably housing the intermediate gear, and a rotational force of one of the first and second gears housed in the first and second gear housing portions is transmitted to the other of the gears using the intermediate gear housed in the intermediate gear housing portion to rotate both the first and second gears in the same direction by a quarter-rotation to simultaneously polish the first and second optical connector assemblies by angled polishing. Thus, the rotational force is transmitted from one of the first and second gears rotatably housed in the first and second gear housing portions to the other of the gears via the intermediate gear rotatably housed in the intermediate gear housing portion. Therefore, by using the gears housed in the housing portions, the other of the optical connector assemblies can be simultaneously rotated in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies by a quarter-rotation. Consequently, the first and second ferrules can be simultaneously polished by angled polishing using the optical fiber ferrule polishing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a duplex optical connector plug shown as an example.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the duplex optical connector plug.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the duplex optical connector plug.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the duplex optical connector plug.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the duplex optical connector plug.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow I-I in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow II-II in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow III-III in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of first and second plug frames.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow IV-IV in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of first and second stop rings.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the first and second stop rings.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an intermediate gear.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a first casing shown as an example.

FIG. 15 is an inside view of the first casing in a state of being separated into two parts.

FIG. 16 is an outside view of the first casing.

FIG. 17 is a top view of a second casing.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the second casing.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow V-V in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a slider.

FIG. 21 is a front view of the slider.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow VI-VI in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view for explaining a procedure of rotating first and second optical connector assemblies.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view explaining the following procedure continued from FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view explaining the following procedure continued from FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a state after the first and second optical connector assemblies are rotated by a half-rotation (180°).

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the duplex optical connector plug shown as another example.

FIG. 28 is a top view of the duplex optical connector plug of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a side view of the duplex optical connector plug of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is a front view of the duplex optical connector plug of FIG. 27.

FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the duplex optical connector plug of FIG. 27.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow VII-VII in FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow VIII-VIII in FIG. 30.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow IX-IX in FIG. 30.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the first and second plug frames shown as another example.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow X-X in FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow XI-XI in FIG. 35.

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the first and second stop rings shown as another example.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the first and second stop rings from another direction.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the first casing shown as another example.

FIG. 41 is an inside view of the first casing of FIG. 40 in a state of being separated into two parts.

FIG. 42 is an outside view of the first casing of FIG. 40.

FIG. 43 is a top view of the second casing shown as another example.

FIG. 44 is a front view of the second casing of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow XII-XII in FIG. 43.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the slider shown as another example.

FIG. 47 is a front view of the slider of FIG. 46.

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow XIII-XIII in FIG. 47.

FIG. 49 is a top view showing a state that after the first and second optical connector assemblies are rotated by a quarter-rotation (90°).

FIG. 50 is a side view in a state after the first and second optical connector assemblies are rotated by a quarter-rotation (90°).

FIG. 51 is a partially enlarged view of first and second ferrules shown in the top view of FIG. 49.

FIG. 52 is a partially enlarged view of the first ferrule shown in the side view of FIG. 50.

FIG. 53 is a top view of the optical connector plug in a state of being installed on an optical fiber ferrule polishing holder.

FIG. 54 is a side view of the optical connector plug in a state of being installed on the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder.

FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow XIV-XIV in FIG. 53.

FIG. 56 is a side view of the optical connector plug in a state that after first and second capillaries are polished.

FIG. 57 is a partially enlarged view of the first ferrule shown in the side view of FIG. 56.

FIG. 58 is a top view of the optical connector plug in a state that after first and second capillaries are polished.

FIG. 59 is a partially enlarged view of the first and second ferrules shown in the top view of FIG. 58.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the attached drawings such as FIG. 1 which is a perspective view of a duplex optical connector plug 10A shown as an example, the duplex optical connector plug and the polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug will be explained below in detail. FIG. 2 is a top view of the duplex optical connector plug 10A. FIG. 3 is a side view of the duplex optical connector plug 10A. FIG. 4 is a front view of the duplex optical connector plug 10A. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the duplex optical connector plug 10A. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow I-I in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow II-II in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow III-III in FIG. 4. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, an axial direction is shown by an arrow A, a radial direction (lateral direction or vertical direction) is shown by an arrow B, and a circumferential direction is shown by an arrow C.

The duplex optical connector plug 10A is used for an optical connection between the optical fibers by attaching the duplex optical connector plug 10A to an optical connector adapter (not illustrated). The optical connector plug 10A is formed by a first optical connector assembly 11 a, a second optical connector assembly 11 b, a first gear 12 a, a second gear 12 b, an intermediate gear 13, a first casing 14 a, a second casing 15 a, a slider 16 a, a caulking ring 17 and a boot 18. In the optical connector plug 10A, as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 5, the first and second casings 14 a, 15 a and the slider 16 a are arranged on the rear side of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b in the axial direction, and the caulking ring 17 and the boot 18 are arranged on the rear side of the slider 16 a in the axial direction.

The first optical connector assembly 11 a includes a first ferrule 19 a extending in an axial direction, a first plug frame 20 a for housing the first ferrule 19 a, a first stop ring 21 a which is engageably inserted into the first plug frame 20 a, and a first spring 22 a (coil spring). The first ferrule 19 a is formed by a first capillary 23 a extending in the axial direction and a cylindrically formed first sleeve 28 a extending in the axial direction. At least one first optical fiber 24 a is held by the first capillary 23 a.

The first capillary 23 a is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape extended in the axial direction. A tip surface 25 is provided on a tip in the axial direction of the first capillary 23 a so that an end face of the first optical fiber 24 a is exposed on the tip surface 25. A chamfered portion 26 is provided at an outer diameter region of the end face of the tip surface 25. The shape of the chamfered portion 26 can be any shape such as an angled surface and a round surface. The tip surface 25 is a surface extending perpendicularly to the radial direction. The chamfered portion 26 is gradually inclined outward in the radial direction from the tip surface 25 to the rear side in the axial direction.

The first capillary 23 a is made of ceramic materials such as zirconia, plastic materials and glass materials such as crystallized glass, borosilicate glass and quartz, for example. A zirconia capillary made of zirconia is used for the first capillary 23 a shown in the figures. An outer diameter of the first capillary 23 a is 1.2485 mm to 1.2495 mm. Inside the first capillary 23 a (ferrule), a first optical fiber insertion hole 27 extending in the axial direction is perforated. The first optical fiber 24 a is inserted in the optical fiber insertion hole 27 perforated on the first capillary 23 a.

The first sleeve 28 a is connected to the rear side in the axial direction of the first capillary 23 a (first ferrule 19 a). A first core wire cover 29 a (PTFE tube) covering an entire area of the outer periphery of the first optical fiber 24 a and extending in the axial direction is connected to the rear side in the axial direction of the first sleeve 28 a. At a front end of the first sleeve 28 a, a first flange 30 a having a polygonal cylindrical shape is integrally formed. A diameter of the first flange 30 a is larger than diameters of the first capillary 23 a and the first core wire cover 29 a. The first sleeve 28 a and the first flange 30 a are made of metal materials such as stainless, brass, iron and steel or synthetic resin materials. Inside the first sleeve 28 a, a capillary insertion hole 31 for inserting and holding the first capillary 23 a and a core wire insertion hole 32 for inserting and holding the first optical fiber core wire incorporating the first optical fiber 24 a are perforated.

The rear end portion of the first capillary 23 a is inserted in the capillary insertion hole 31 of the first sleeve 28 a, and the rear end portion of the first capillary 23 a is fixed and held by the capillary insertion hole 31 of the first sleeve 28 a. One end portion of the first optical fiber core wire is inserted in the core wire insertion hole 32 of the first sleeve 28 a, and the one end portion of the first optical fiber core wire is fixed and held by the core wire insertion hole 32 of the first sleeve 28 a. A cross-sectional shape in the axial direction of the first sleeve 28 a is not limited to the cylindrical shape shown in the figures. A rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction can be also used.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of first and second plug frames 20 a, 20 b. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow Iv-Iv in FIG. 9. The first plug frame 20 a is made of a synthetic resin material and formed in an approximately square columnar shape having a hollow. The first plug frame 20 a includes a top wall 33 and a bottom wall 34 which are separately facing each other in the vertical direction and extending in the axial direction. The first plug frame 20 a also includes side walls 35, 36 which are separately facing each other in the lateral direction and extending in the axial direction. A guide projection 37 extending in the axial direction is formed on the top wall 33 at the front side in the axial direction of the first plug frame 20 a. Guide recesses 38 a are formed on the walls 33 to 36 at the rear side in the axial direction of the first plug frame 20 a to engage the later described engagement claws 72 formed on the front end of a top wall 64 of the second casings 15 with the guide recesses 38 a. A fitting opening 39 having an approximately square shape is perforated on the side walls 35, 36 at the rear side in the axial direction of the first plug frame 20 a.

A ferrule housing space 40 surrounded by the walls 33 to 36 and extending in the axial direction is formed in the first plug frame 20 a. A front end exposure opening 41 is opened in the first plug frame 20 a to expose a tip end portion of the first capillary 23 a. A rear end insertion opening 42 is opened in the first plug frame 20 a to insert the first ferrule 19 a. On the rear side in the axial direction of the front end exposure opening 41 of the first plug frame 20 a, an abutting portion 43 is extended from an inner peripheral surface of the ferrule housing space 40 to inward in the radial direction. The first flange 30 a of the first sleeve 28 a abuts on the abutting portion 43. Since the first flange 30 a of the first sleeve 28 a abuts on the abutting portion 43, the first sleeve 28 a is prevented from being further moved to the front side in the axial direction with respect to the first plug frame 20 a.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of first and second stop rings 21 a, 21 b. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the first and second stop rings 21 a, 21 b shown from another direction. The first stop ring 21 a is made of metal materials or synthetic resin materials. The first stop ring 21 a is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape and extending in the axial direction. The first stop ring 21 a includes a front end portion 44 (front end tube) located at the front side in the axial direction, a rear end portion 46 (rear end tube) located at the rear side in the axial direction, and an intermediate portion 45 (intermediate tube) extending between the front end portion 44 and the rear end portion 46. A core wire exposure opening 47 is opened on the front end portion 44 of the first stop ring 21 a to expose the first optical fiber core wire. A core wire insertion opening 48 is opened on the rear end portion 46 to insert the first optical fiber core wire.

A fitting projection 49 projecting outward in the radial direction is formed on an outer peripheral surface (peripheral surface) of the intermediate portion 45 of the first stop ring 21 a. The fitting projection 49 is fitted in the fitting opening 39 perforated on the side walls 35, 36 of the first plug frame 20 a. When the fitting projection 49 is fitted in the fitting opening 39, the first stop ring 21 a is connected to the first plug frame 20 a. An abutting projection 50 (rotating angle regulating unit) projecting outward in the radial direction is formed on an outer peripheral surface (peripheral surface) of the intermediate portion 45 of the first stop ring 21 a at the rear side in the axial direction of the fitting projection 49. The abutting projection 50 is formed on an outer periphery facing the rotation regulating projection 57 a which is formed on a later described first opening 55 a of the first casing 14 a.

The first spring 22 a is arranged between the first ferrule 19 a and the first stop ring 21 a. The first spring 22 a is inserted to the first core wire cover 29 a and extending in the axial direction. A front end of the first spring 22 a abuts on the first flange 30 a of the first sleeve 28 a, and a rear end of the first spring 22 a abuts on the front end portion 44 of the first stop ring 21 a. The first spring 22 a biases the first ferrule 19 a forward in the axial direction. The first gear 12 a is formed on the rear end portion 46 of the first stop ring 21 a and extending in the axial direction.

The second optical connector assembly 11 b is adjacent to the first optical connector assembly 11 a and extending in the axial direction in parallel with the first optical connector assembly 11 a. The second optical connector assembly 11 b includes a second ferrule 19 b extending in an axial direction, a second plug frame 20 b for housing the second ferrule 19 b, a second stop ring 21 b which is engageably inserted into the second plug frame 20 b, and a second spring 22 b (coil spring). The second ferrule 19 b is formed by a second capillary 23 b extending in the axial direction and a cylindrically formed second sleeve 28 b extending in the axial direction. At least one second optical fiber 24 b is held by the second capillary 23 b.

The second capillary 23 b is laterally adjacent to the first capillary 23 a and extending in the axial direction in parallel with the first capillary 23 a. The second capillary 23 b is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape extended in the axial direction. A tip surface 25 is provided on a tip in the axial direction of the second capillary 23 b so that an end face of the second optical fiber 24 b is exposed on the tip surface 25. A chamfered portion 26 is provided at an outer diameter region of the end face of the tip surface 25. The tip surface 25 is a surface extending perpendicularly to the radial direction. The shape of the chamfered portion 26 is same as the shape of the tip surface of the first capillary 23 a. Inside the second capillary 23 b (ferrule), the optical fiber insertion hole 27 extending in the axial direction is perforated. The second optical fiber 24 b is inserted in the optical fiber insertion hole 27 perforated on the second capillary 23 b. The material and the outer diameter of the second capillary 23 b are same as the material and the outer diameter of the first capillary 23 a.

The second sleeve 28 b is connected to the rear side in the axial direction of the second capillary 23 b (second ferrule 19 b). A second core wire cover 29 b (PTFE tube) covering an entire area of the outer periphery of the second optical fiber 24 b and extending in the axial direction is connected to the rear side in the axial direction of the second sleeve 28 b. The second core wire cover 29 b is laterally adjacent to the first core wire cover 29 a and extending in the axial direction in parallel with the first core wire cover 29 a.

At a front end of the second sleeve 28 b, a second flange 30 b having a polygonal cylindrical shape is integrally formed. A diameter of the second flange 30 b is larger than diameters of the second capillary 23 b and the second core wire cover 29 b. The second flange is laterally adjacent to the first flange. Same as the first sleeve 28 a and the first flange 30 a, the second sleeve 28 b and the second flange 30 b are made of metal materials such as stainless, brass, iron and steel or synthetic resin materials. Inside the second sleeve 28 b, a capillary insertion hole 31 for inserting and holding the second capillary 23 b and a core wire insertion hole 32 for inserting and holding the second optical fiber core wire incorporating the second optical fiber 24 b are perforated.

The rear end portion of the second capillary 23 b is inserted in the capillary insertion hole 31 of the second sleeve 28 b, and the rear end portion of the second capillary 23 b is fixed and held by the capillary insertion hole 31 of the second sleeve 28 b. One end portion of the second optical fiber core wire is inserted in the core wire insertion hole 32 of the second sleeve 28 b, and the one end portion of the second optical fiber core wire is fixed and held by the core wire insertion hole 32 of the second sleeve 28 b. A cross-sectional shape in the axial direction of the second sleeve 28 b is not limited to the cylindrical shape shown in the figures. A rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction can be also used.

The second plug frame 20 b is laterally adjacent to the first plug frame 20 a and extending in the axial direction in parallel with the first plug frame 20 a. The second plug frame 20 b is made of a synthetic resin material and formed in an approximately square columnar shape having a hollow. The second plug frame 20 b includes a top wall 33 and a bottom wall 34 which are separately facing each other in the vertical direction and extending in the axial direction. The second plug frame 20 b also includes side walls 35, 36 which are separately facing each other in the lateral direction and extending in the axial direction. A guide projection 37 extending in the axial direction is formed on the top wall 33 at the front side in the axial direction of the second plug frame 20 b. Guide recesses 38 a are formed on the walls 33 to 36 at the rear side in the axial direction of the second plug frame 20 b to engage engagement claws 72 formed on the front end of a top wall 64 of the second casings 15 with the guide recesses 38 a. A fitting opening 39 having an approximately square shape is perforated on the side walls 35, 36 at the rear side in the axial direction of the second plug frame 20 b.

A ferrule housing space 40 surrounded by the walls 33 to 36 and extending in the axial direction is formed in the second plug frame 20 b. A front end exposure opening 41 is opened in the second plug frame 20 b to expose a tip end portion of the second capillary 23 b. A rear end insertion opening 42 is opened in the second plug frame 20 b to insert the second ferrule 19 b. On the rear side in the axial direction of the front end exposure opening 41 of the second plug frame 20 b, an abutting portion 43 is extended from an inner peripheral surface of the ferrule housing space 40 to inward in the radial direction. The second flange 30 b of the second sleeve 28 b abuts on the abutting portion 43. Since the second flange 30 b of the second sleeve 28 b abuts on the abutting portion 43, the second sleeve 28 b is prevented from being further moved to the front side in the axial direction with respect to the second plug frame 20 b.

The second stop ring 21 b is laterally adjacent to the first stop ring 21 a and extending in the axial direction in parallel with the first stop ring 21 a. Same as the first stop ring 21 a, the second stop ring 21 b is made of metal materials or synthetic resin materials and formed in an approximately cylindrical shape. The second stop ring 21 b includes a front end portion 44 (front end tube) located at the front side in the axial direction, a rear end portion 46 (rear end tube) located at the rear side in the axial direction, and an intermediate portion 45 (intermediate tube) extending between the front end portion 44 and the rear end portion 46. A core wire exposure opening 47 is opened on the front end portion 44 of the second stop ring 21 b to expose the second optical fiber core wire. A core wire insertion opening 48 is opened on the rear end portion 46 to insert the second optical fiber core wire.

A fitting projection 49 projecting outward in the radial direction is formed on an outer peripheral surface (peripheral surface) of the intermediate portion 45 of the second stop ring 21 b. The fitting projection 49 is fitted in the fitting opening 39 perforated on the side walls 35, 36 of the second plug frame 20 b. When the fitting projection 49 is fitted in the fitting opening 39, the second stop ring 21 b is connected to the second plug frame 20 b. An abutting projection 50 (rotating angle regulating unit) projecting outward in the radial direction is formed on an outer peripheral surface (peripheral surface) of the intermediate portion 45 of the second stop ring 21 b at the rear side in the axial direction of the fitting projection 49. The abutting projection 50 is formed on an outer periphery facing the rotation regulating projection 57 a which is formed on a later described second opening 55 b of the first casing 14 a.

The second spring 22 b is arranged between the second ferrule 19 b and the second stop ring 21 b and inserted in the second core wire cover 29 b. The second spring 22 b is laterally adjacent to the first spring 22 a and extending in the axial direction in parallel with the first spring 22 a. A front end of the second spring 22 b abuts on the second flange 30 b of the second sleeve 28 b, and a rear end of the second spring 22 b abuts on the front end portion 44 of the second stop ring 21 b. The second spring 22 b biases the second ferrule 19 b forward in the axial direction. The second gear 12 b is formed on the rear end portion 46 of the second stop ring 21 b and extending in the axial direction.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the intermediate gear 13. The intermediate gear 13 is interposed between the first gear 12 a and the second gear 12 b and extending in the axial direction. The intermediate gear 13 is circumscribed to the first and second gears 12 a, 12 b to transfer a rotational force of one of the first and second gears 12 a, 12 b to the other of the gears and rotate the other of the gears in the same direction as the one of the gears. A gear ratio of the first gear 12 a, the second gear 12 b and the intermediate gear 13 is 1:1:1. Accordingly, when the first gear 12 a is rotated by one rotation in the clockwise direction, the intermediate gear 13 is rotated by one rotation in the counterclockwise direction and the second gear 12 b is rotated by one rotation in the clockwise direction. On the contrary, when the first gear 12 a is rotated by one rotation in the counterclockwise direction, the intermediate gear 13 is rotated by one rotation in the clockwise direction and the second gear 12 b is rotated by one rotation in the counterclockwise direction.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the first casing 14 a in a state of being separated into two parts. FIG. 15 is an inside view of the first casing 14 a in a state of being separated into two parts. FIG. 16 is an outside view of the first casing 14 a. The first casing 14 a is made of a synthetic resin material and formed in a hollow shape. The first casing 14 a includes a top wall 51 and a bottom wall 52 which are separately facing each other in the vertical direction and extending in the axial direction. The first casing 14 a also includes side walls 53, 54 which are separately facing each other in the lateral direction and extending in the axial direction. The first casing 14 a also includes a first opening 55 a opened at the front end of the first casing 14 a to insert the first stop ring 21 a, and a second opening 55 b opened at the front end of the first casing 14 a to insert the second stop ring 21 b.

At the rear side in the axial direction of the first casing 14 a, a cylindrical portion 56 is connected to insert the caulking ring 17 and engage the boot 18 with the cylindrical portion 56. A rotation regulating projection 57 a (rotating angle regulating unit) projecting inward in the radial direction of the first opening 55 a is formed on the first opening 55 a of the first casing 14 a. A rotation regulating projection 57 a (rotating angle regulating unit) projecting inward in the radial direction of the second opening 55 b is formed on the second opening 55 b.

Inside the first casing 14 a, a first gear housing portion 59 surrounded by the walls 51 to 54 and a partition wall 58, a second gear housing portion 60 surrounded by the walls 51 to 54 and the partition wall 58, and an intermediate gear housing portion 61 surrounded by the partition walls 58 and located between the first and second gear housing portions 59, 60 are formed. The first gear 12 a formed on the rear end portion 46 of the first stop ring 21 a is rotatably housed in the first gear housing portion 59. The second gear 12 b formed on the rear end portion 46 of the second stop ring 21 b is rotatably housed in the second gear housing portion 60. The intermediate gear 13 is rotatably housed in the intermediate gear housing portion 61.

In the first casing 14 a, the first and second gears 12 a, 12 b and the intermediate gear 13 are respectively housed in the first and second gear housing portions 59, 60 and the intermediate gear housing portion 61. Because of this, the gears 12 a, 12 b, 13 are laterally arranged, the first gear 12 a and the intermediate gear 13 are circumscribed, and the second gear 12 b and the intermediate gear 13 are circumscribed. As shown in FIG. 5, the first casing 14 a is formed by connecting the first casings 14 a which are separated into two parts in the vertical direction. When the casings 14 a are connected, a fitting claw 62 formed on the lower casing 14 a is engaged in a fitting hole 63 formed on the upper casing 14 a. Thus, the casings 14 a are integrated.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the second casing 15 a. FIG. 18 is a front view of the second casing 15 a. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow V-V in FIG. 17. The second casing 15 a is made of a synthetic resin material. The second casing 15 a includes a top wall 64 and a bottom wall 65 which are separately facing each other in the vertical direction and extending in the axial direction. The second casing 15 a also includes side walls 66, 67 which are separately facing each other in the lateral direction and extending in the axial direction. The second casing 15 a also includes a guide wall 68 extending upward from the side walls 66, 67 and extending in the axial direction. The second casing 15 a includes a front end opening 69 opened at the front end of the second casing 15 a, a rear end opening 70 opened at the rear end of the second casing 15 a, and a pair of engagement latches 71 located at the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 a. At a front end of the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 a, the engagement claws 72 projecting downward are formed. At a tip of the center of the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 a, an engagement-insertion key 73 extending in the axial direction is formed.

The engagement latches 71 are laterally separated with each other by a predetermined length and extending straightly in the axial direction in parallel with each other. The engagement latches 71 include a connection portion 74 connected to the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 a and a free portion 75 extending in the axial direction from the connection portion 74 to be exposed (extended) from the front end opening 69 by a predetermined length forward in the axial direction. An engagement key 76 is formed on a tip of the free portion 75. The free portion 75 has a flexibility and capable of being elastically deformed downward.

The second casing 15 a can house the first casing 14 a in a state that the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 a faces to the top wall 51 of the first casing 14 a and the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 a faces to the bottom wall 52 of the first casing 14 a. On the contrary, the second casing 15 a can house the first casing 14 a in a state that the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 a faces to the bottom wall 52 of the first casing 14 a and the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 a faces to the top wall 51 of the first casing 14 a. The second casing 15 a can house the first casing 14 a in a state that the first casing 14 a is vertically reversed (inversed).

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the slider 16 a. FIG. 21 is a front view of the slider 16 a. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow VI-VI in FIG. 21. The slider 16 a is made of a synthetic resin material. The slider 16 a includes a box 77 connected to the rear end portion of the second casing 15 a, a sliding top wall 78 (sliding plate) extending forward in the axial direction from a top portion of the box 77, and a guide wall 79 extending downward and in the axial direction from both sides of the sliding top wall 78. The slider 16 a includes a front end opening 80 opened at the front end of the box 77 and a rear end opening 81 opened at the rear end of the box 77. At both sides of the lower surface of the tip end portion of the sliding top wall 78, a pair of inclined planes 82 gradually inclined downward from the front end of the slider 16 a to rearward in the axial direction is formed. At a center of the lower surface of the tip end portion of the sliding top wall 78, a key engagement portion 83 is formed to engageably insert the engagement-insertion key 73 of the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 a.

The slider 16 a is located at the rear side in the axial direction of the second casing 15 a. The box 77 of the slider 16 a is located at the rear side in the axial direction of the rear end portion of the second casing 15 a. The slider 16 a is connected to the second casing 15 a slidably in the axial direction. In a state that the slider 16 a is connected to the second casing 15 a, the guide wall 79 of the slider 16 a is located inside the guide wall 68 of the second casing 15 a, the engagement-insertion key 73 is engageably inserted in the key engagement portion 83 of the sliding top wall 78 of the slider 16 a, and the inclined planes 82 of the sliding top wall 78 of the slider 16 a abuts on the upper surface of the engagement latches 71.

The slider 16 a is slidable on an upper surface of the engagement latches 71 forward and backward in the axial direction. When the slider 16 a is slid backward in the axial direction with respect to the second casing 15 a, the inclined planes 82 of the slider 16 a presses the engagement latches 71 downward and the inclined planes 82 pushes down the engagement latches 71.

The caulking ring 17 is inserted to the cylindrical portion 56 located at the rear side in the axial direction of the first casing 14 a. The boot 18 is engaged with the cylindrical portion 56 of the first casing 14 a via the caulking ring 17 so that an inner peripheral surface of the boot 18 is in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the caulking ring 17. The first optical fiber core wire incorporating the first optical fiber 24 a and the second optical fiber core wire incorporating the second optical fiber 24 b are integrated into one in the first casing 14 a to form an optical fiber cord 90. The optical fiber cord 90 is inserted in the caulking ring 17 and extended outward from the rear end of the caulking ring 17.

In the optical connector plug 10A, the rotation of the first optical connector assembly 11 a (first stop ring 21 a) is prevented when the abutting projection 50 (rotating angle regulating unit) formed on the intermediate portion 45 of the first stop ring 21 a abuts on the rotation regulating projection 57 a (rotating angle regulating unit) formed on the first opening 55 a of the first casing 14 a. In addition, the rotation of the second optical connector assembly 11 b (second stop ring 21 b) is prevented when the abutting projection 50 (rotating angle regulating unit) formed on the intermediate portion 45 of the second stop ring 21 b abuts on the rotation regulating projection 57 a (rotating angle regulating unit) formed on the second opening 55 b of the first casing 14 a.

The rotating angle of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b (first and second stop rings 21 a, 21 b) is determined by a forming range of the rotation regulating projection 57 a of the first opening 55 a and the second opening 55 b. In the optical connector plug 10A, the rotation range of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b from a starting point to a finishing point of the rotation is limited to be a half-rotation (rotating angle is 180°).

FIG. 23 is a perspective view for explaining a procedure of rotating the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b. FIG. 24 is a perspective view explaining the following procedure continued from FIG. 23. FIG. 25 is a perspective view explaining the following procedure continued from FIG. 24. FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a state after the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b are rotated by a half-rotation (180°). The procedure of rotating the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b of the optical connector plug 10A will be explained below.

The engagement between the guide recesses 38 formed on the first and second plug frames 20 a, 20 b and the engagement claws 72 formed on the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 a is released, and the first casing 14 a is drawn out forward in the axial direction from the second casing 15 a as shown in FIG. 23. After the first casing 14 a is drawn out from the second casing 15 a, the first optical connector assembly 11 a (one of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated in the clockwise direction as shown as an arrow C1 in FIG. 23, for example.

In the optical connector plug 10A, when the first optical connector assembly 11 a (one of the connector assemblies) is rotated around its axis in the clockwise direction, the first gear 12 a (one of the gears) is rotated in the clockwise direction and the intermediate gear 13 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by the rotation of the first gear 12 a.

The rotational force (rotation) of the first gear 12 a is transmitted to the second gear 12 b (the other of the gears) by the intermediate gear 13, and the second gear 12 b is rotated around its axis interlockingly with the first gear 12 a in the same clockwise direction (same direction) as the first gear 12 a. Thereby, the second optical connector assembly 11 b is rotated in the clockwise direction. Since the gear ratio of the gears 12 a, 12 b, 13 is 1:1:1, when the first optical connector assembly 11 a is rotated in the clockwise direction, the second optical connector assembly 11 b (the other of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated in the clockwise direction by the same rotating angle as the first optical connector assembly 11 a. When the second optical connector assembly 11 b (one of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated in the rotated in the clockwise direction, the first optical connector assembly 11 a (the other of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated in the clockwise direction by the same rotating angle as the second optical connector assembly 11 b.

The rotational force of the first and second gears 12 a, 12 b rotatably housed in the first and second gear housing portions 59, 60 is transmitted from one of the first and second gears 12 a, 12 b to the other of the gears 12 a, 12 b via the intermediate gear 13 rotatably housed in the intermediate gear housing portion 61. Thus, by using the gears 12 a, 12 b, 13, the other of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b can be rotated in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b.

In addition, since the gear ratio of the gears 12 a, 12 b, 13 is 1:1:1, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b is rotated, the other of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b is rotated at the same rotating angle as the one of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b. Thus, the rotation range from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation can be the same between the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b. When one of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b is rotated, the other of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b can be rotated to the same position as the one of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b.

In a state shown in FIG. 23, when the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b are rotated in the clockwise direction by a half-rotation (180°) (half-rotation from the starting point to the finishing point), the abutting projection 50 (rotating angle regulating unit) formed on the intermediate portion 45 of the first stop ring 21 a abuts on the rotation regulating projection 57 a (rotating angle regulating unit) formed on the first opening 55 a of the first casing 14 a. In addition, the abutting projection 50 (rotating angle regulating unit) formed on the intermediate portion 45 of the second stop ring 21 b abuts on the rotation regulating projection 57 a (rotating angle regulating unit) formed on the second opening 55 b of the first casing 14 a. Thus, the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b in the clockwise direction is stopped.

After the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b are rotated in the clockwise direction by a half-rotation (180°) until the state shown in FIG. 24, the second casing 15 a (including the slider 16 a) is rotated in the clockwise direction (or counterclockwise direction) by a half-rotation (180°) as shown as the arrow mark C2 in FIG. 24. When the second casing 15 a is rotated by a half-rotation (180°), the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 a is positioned at the bottom wall 52 side of the first casing 14 a and the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 a is positioned at the top wall 51 side of the first casing 14 a as shown in FIG. 25.

Then, the second casing 15 a is moved forward in the longitudinal direction toward the first casing 14 a, the first casing 14 a is housed inside the second casing 15 a so that the bottom wall 52 of the first casing 14 a faces to the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 a and the top wall 51 of the first casing 14 a faces to the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 a, and the guide recesses 38 are engaged with the engagement claws 72. The polarity reversal method for reversing the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug 10A is performed by simultaneously rotating the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b in the clockwise direction by a half-rotation (180°) from the state of FIG. 1 to the state of FIG. 26.

After the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug 10A is reversed, in the state shown in FIG. 26, the engagement between the guide recesses 38 and the engagement claws 72 is released, the first casing 14 a is drawn out forward in the axial direction from the second casing 15 a, and the second optical connector assembly 11 b (one of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. When the second optical connector assembly 11 b (one of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b) is rotated around its axis in the counterclockwise direction, the second gear 12 b (one of the gears) is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and the intermediate gear 13 is rotated in the clockwise direction by the rotation of the second gear 12 b.

The rotational force (rotation) of the second gear 12 b is transmitted to the first gear 12 a (the other of the gears) by the intermediate gear 13, and the first gear 12 a is interlockingly rotated around its axis in the counterclockwise direction which is the same direction as the second gear 12 b. Thereby, the first optical connector assembly 11 a is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. Since the gear ratio of the gears is 1, when the second optical connector assembly 11 b is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the first optical connector assembly 11 a is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by the same rotating angle as the second optical connector assembly 11 b. When the first optical connector assembly 11 a (one of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the second optical connector assembly 11 b (the other of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by the same rotating angle as the first optical connector assembly 11 a.

When the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b are rotated in the counterclockwise direction by a half-rotation (180°), the abutting projection 50 (rotating angle regulating unit) abuts on the rotation regulating projection 57 a (rotating angle regulating unit). Thus, the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b in the counterclockwise direction is stopped. After the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b are rotated in the counterclockwise direction by a half-rotation (180°), the second casing 15 a (including the slider 16 a) is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (or the clockwise direction) by a half-rotation (180°). When the second casing 15 a is rotated by a half-rotation (180°), the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 a is positioned at the top wall 51 side of the first casing 14 a and the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 a is positioned at the bottom wall 52 side of the first casing 14 a.

Then, the second casing 15 a is moved forward in the longitudinal direction toward the first casing 14 a, the first casing 14 a is housed inside the second casing 15 a so that the top wall 51 of the first casing 14 a faces to the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 a and the bottom wall 52 of the first casing 14 a faces to the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 a, and the guide recesses 38 are engaged with the engagement claws 72. The polarity reversal method for reversing the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug 10A is performed by simultaneously rotating the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b in the counterclockwise direction by a half-rotation (180°) from the state of FIG. 26 to the state of FIG. 1.

By performing the polarity reversal method, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b is rotated around its axis from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation (180°), the other of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b is interlockingly rotated around its axis from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation (180°) in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b. Thereby, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug 10A can be reversed from the state of FIG. 1 to the state of FIG. 26, and the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug 10A can be reversed from the state of FIG. 26 to the state of FIG. 1.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a duplex optical connector plug 10B shown as another example. FIG. 28 is a top view of the duplex optical connector plug 10B. FIG. 29 is a side view of the duplex optical connector plug 10B. FIG. 30 is a front view of the duplex optical connector plug 10B. FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the duplex optical connector plug 10B. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow VII-VII in FIG. 30. FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow VIII-VIII in FIG. 30. FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow IX-IX in FIG. 30.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the first and second plug frames 20 c, 20 d. FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow X-X in FIG. 35. FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow XI-XI in FIG. 35. FIG. 38 is a perspective view of first and second stop rings 21 c, 21 d. FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the first and second stop rings 21 c, 21 d from another direction. In FIG. 27 to FIG. 29, the axial direction is shown as by an arrow A, the radial direction (lateral direction or vertical direction) is show by an arrow B, and a circumferential direction is shown by an arrow C.

Same as the optical connector plug 10A, the duplex optical connector plug 10B is used for an optical connection between the optical fibers by attaching the duplex optical connector plug 10B to an optical connector adapter (not illustrated). The optical connector plug 10B is formed by a first optical connector assembly 11 c, a second optical connector assembly 11 d, a first gear 12 c, a second gear 12 d, an intermediate gear 13, a first casing 14 b, a second casing 15 b, a slider 16 b, a caulking ring 17, a boot 18 and a pipe 91. In the optical connector plug 10B, as shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 31, the first and second casings 14 b, 15 b, the pipe 91 and the slider 16 b are arranged on the rear side of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d in the axial direction, and the caulking ring 17 and the boot 18 are arranged on the rear side of the slider 16 b.

The first optical connector assembly 11 c includes a first ferrule 19 a extending in the axial direction, a first plug frame 20 c for housing the first ferrule 19 a, a first stop ring 21 c which is engageably inserted into the first plug frame 20 c, and a first spring 22 a (coil spring). The first ferrule 19 a and the first spring 22 a are same as those of the optical connector plug 10A.

The first plug frame 20 c is made of a synthetic resin material and formed in an approximately square columnar shape having a hollow. The first plug frame 20 c includes a top wall 33 and a bottom wall 34 which are separately facing each other in the vertical direction and extending in the axial direction. The first plug frame 20 c also includes side walls 35, 36 which are separately facing each other in the lateral direction and extending in the axial direction. A guide projection 37 extending in the axial direction is formed on the top wall 33 at the front side in the axial direction of the first plug frame 20 c. A fitting recess 38 b is formed on the walls 33 to 36 at the rear side in the axial direction of the first plug frame 20 c to fit an opening projection 57 b formed on the below described first opening 55 a of the first casing 14 b into the fitting recess 38 b.

A ferrule housing space 40 surrounded by the walls 33 to 36 and extending in the axial direction is formed in the first plug frame 20 c. A front end exposure opening 41 is opened in the first plug frame 20 c to expose a tip end portion of the first capillary 23 a. A rear end insertion opening 42 is opened in the first plug frame 20 c to insert the second ferrule 19 b. On the rear side in the axial direction of the front end exposure opening 41 of the first plug frame 20 c, an abutting portion 43 is extended from an inner peripheral surface of the ferrule housing space 40 to inward in the radial direction.

The first flange 30 a of the first sleeve 28 a abuts on the abutting portion 43. Since the first flange 30 a of the first sleeve 28 a abuts on the abutting portion 43, the first sleeve 28 a is prevented from being further moved to the front side in the axial direction with respect to the first plug frame 20 c. An abutting flange 92 projecting outward in the radial direction of the walls 33 to 36 is formed on the walls 33 to 36 located near the rear end insertion opening 42 of the first plug frame 20 c. The abutting flange 92 slidably abuts on the front end edge of the first opening 55 a of the first casing 14 b.

The first stop ring 21 c is made of metal materials or synthetic resin materials. The first stop ring 21 c is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape and extending in the axial direction. The first stop ring 21 c includes a front end portion 44 (front end tube) located at the front side in the axial direction, a rear end portion 46 (rear end tube) located at the rear side in the axial direction, and an intermediate portion 45 (intermediate tube) extending between the front end portion 44 and the rear end portion 46. A core wire exposure opening 47 is opened on the front end portion 44 of the first stop ring 21 c to expose the first optical fiber core wire. A core wire insertion opening 48 is opened on the rear end portion 46 to insert the first optical fiber core wire.

In the first stop ring 21 c, the front end portion 44 and the intermediate portion 45 are pressed inside the first plug frame 20 c from the rear end insertion opening 42 of the first plug frame 20 c, and outer peripheral surfaces of the front end portion 44 and the intermediate portion 45 are in close contact with an inner peripheral surface of the first plug frame 20 c. The first stop ring 21 c is connected to the first plug frame 20 c so as not to be detached from the first plug frame 20 c. The first stop ring 21 c is rotated along with the rotation of the first plug frame 20 c.

The first spring 22 a is arranged between the first ferrule 19 a and the first stop ring 21 c. The first spring 22 a is inserted to the first core wire cover 29 a and extending in the axial direction. A front end of the first spring 22 a abuts on the first flange 30 a of the first sleeve 28 a, and a rear end of the first spring 22 a abuts on the front end portion 44 of the first stop ring 21 c. The first spring 22 a biases the first ferrule 19 a forward in the axial direction. The first gear 12 c is formed on the rear end portion 46 of the first stop ring 21 c and extending in the axial direction. An abutting projection 93 (rotating regulating unit) projected outward in the radial direction is formed on the first gear 12 c. The abutting projection 93 is more projected outward in the radial direction compared to teeth of the first gear 12 c.

The second optical connector assembly 11 d includes a second ferrule 19 b extending in the axial direction, a second plug frame 20 d for housing the second ferrule 19 b, a second stop ring 21 d which is engageably inserted into the second plug frame 20 d, and the second spring 22 b (coil spring). The second ferrule 19 b and the second spring 22 b are same as those of the optical connector plug 10A.

The second plug frame 20 d is made of a synthetic resin material and formed in an approximately square columnar shape having a hollow. The second plug frame 20 d includes a top wall 33 and a bottom wall 34 which are separately facing each other in the vertical direction and extending in the axial direction. The second plug frame 20 d also includes side walls 35, 36 which are separately facing each other in the lateral direction and extending in the axial direction. A guide projection 37 extending in the axial direction is formed on the top wall 33 at the front side in the axial direction of the second plug frame 20 d. A fitting recess 38 b is formed on the walls 33 to 36 at the rear side in the axial direction of the second plug frame 20 d to fit an opening projection 57 b formed on the second opening 55 b of the first casing 14 b into the fitting recess 38 b.

A ferrule housing space 40 surrounded by the walls 33 to 36 and extending in the axial direction is formed in the second plug frame 20 d. A front end exposure opening 41 is opened in the second plug frame 20 d to expose a tip end portion of the second capillary 23 b. A rear end insertion opening 42 is opened in the second plug frame 20 d to insert the second ferrule 19 b. On the rear side in the axial direction of the front end exposure opening 41 of the second plug frame 20 d, an abutting portion 43 is extended from an inner peripheral surface of the ferrule housing space 40 to inward in the radial direction.

The second flange 30 b of the second sleeve 28 b abuts on the abutting portion 43. Since the second flange 30 b of the second sleeve 28 b abuts on the abutting portion 43, the second sleeve 28 b is prevented from being further moved to the front side in the axial direction with respect to the second plug frame 20 d. An abutting flange 92 projecting outward in the radial direction of the walls 33 to 36 is formed on the walls 33 to 36 located near the rear end insertion opening 42 of the second plug frame 20 d. The abutting flange 92 slidably abuts on the front end edge of the second opening 55 b of the first casing 14 b.

The second stop ring 21 d is laterally adjacent to the first stop ring 21 c and extending in the axial direction in parallel with the first stop ring 21 c. The second stop ring 21 d is made of metal materials or synthetic resin materials. The second stop ring 21 d is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape and extending in the axial direction. The second stop ring 21 d includes a front end portion 44 (front end tube) located at the front side in the axial direction, a rear end portion 46 (rear end tube) located at the rear side in the axial direction, and an intermediate portion 45 (intermediate tube) extending between the front end portion 44 and the rear end portion 46. A core wire exposure opening 47 is opened on the front end portion 44 of the second stop ring 21 d to expose the second optical fiber core wire. A core wire insertion opening 48 is opened on the rear end portion 46 to insert the second optical fiber core wire.

In the second stop ring 21 d, the front end portion 44 and the intermediate portion 45 are pressed inside the second stop ring 21 d from the rear end insertion opening 42 of the second stop ring 21 d, and outer peripheral surfaces of the front end portion 44 and the intermediate portion 45 are in close contact with an inner peripheral surface of the second plug frame 20 d. The second stop ring 21 d is connected to the second plug frame 20 d so as not to be detached from the second plug frame 20 d. The second stop ring 21 d is rotated along with the rotation of the second plug frame 20 d.

The second spring 22 b is arranged between the second ferrule 19 b and the second stop ring 21 d. The second spring 22 b is inserted to the second core wire cover 29 b and extending in the axial direction. A front end of the second spring 22 b abuts on the second flange 30 b of the second sleeve 28 b, and a rear end of the second spring 22 b abuts on the front end portion 44 of the second stop ring 21 d. The second spring 22 b biases the second ferrule 19 b forward in the axial direction. The second gear 12 d is formed on the rear end portion 46 of the second stop ring 21 d and extending in the axial direction. An abutting projection 93 (rotating regulating unit) projected outward in the radial direction is formed on the second gear 12 d. The abutting projection 93 is more projected outward in the radial direction compared to teeth of the second gear 12 d.

The intermediate gear 13 is same as the intermediate gear of the optical connector plug 10A (shown in FIG. 13). The intermediate gear 13 is circumscribed to the first gear 12 c and the second gear 12 d to transfer a rotational force of one of the first and second gears 12 c, 12 d to the other of the gears and rotate the other of the gears in the same direction as the one of the gears. A gear ratio of the first gear 12 c, the second gear 12 d and the intermediate gear 13 is 1:1:1. When the first gear 12 c is rotated by one rotation in the clockwise direction, the intermediate gear 13 is rotated by one rotation in the counterclockwise direction and the second gear 12 d is rotated by one rotation in the clockwise direction. On the contrary, when the first gear 12 c is rotated by one rotation in the counterclockwise direction, the intermediate gear 13 is rotated by one rotation in the clockwise direction and the second gear 12 d is rotated by one rotation in the counterclockwise direction.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the first casing 14 b in a state of being separated into two parts. FIG. 41 is an inside view of the first casing 14 b in a state of being separated into two parts. FIG. 42 is an outside view of the top wall 51 of the first casing 14 b. An outside view of the bottom wall 52 of the first casing 14 b is same as FIG. 42. The first casing 14 b is made of a synthetic resin material and formed in a hollow shape. The first casing 14 b includes a top wall 51 and a bottom wall 52 which are separately facing each other in the vertical direction and extending in the axial direction. The first casing 14 b also includes side walls 53, 54 which are separately facing each other in the lateral direction and extending in the axial direction. The first casing 14 b also includes a first opening 55 a opened at the front end of the first casing 14 b to insert the first stop ring 21 c, and a second opening 55 b opened at the front end of the first casing 14 b to insert the second stop ring 21 d.

Engagement-insertion recesses 94 are formed on an approximately center of the top wall 51 of the first casing 14 b to engageably insert the later described engagement-insertion projections 96 formed on an approximately center of the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 b and formed on an approximately center of the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 b. Engagement-insertion recesses 94 are formed on an approximately center of the bottom wall 52 of the first casing 14 b to engageably insert the engagement-insertion projections 96 formed on an approximately center of the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 b and formed on an approximately center of the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 b (shown in FIG. 42).

An opening projection 57 b projecting inward in the radial direction of the first opening 55 a is formed on the first opening 55 a of the first casing 14 b. An opening projection 57 b projecting inward in the radial direction of the second opening 55 b is formed on the second opening 55 b. Inside the first casing 14 b, a first gear housing portion 59 surrounded by the walls 51 to 54 and a partition wall 58, a second gear housing portion 60 surrounded by the walls 51 to 54 and the partition wall 58, and an intermediate gear housing portion 61 surrounded by the partition walls 58 and located between the first and second gear housing portions 59, 60 are formed.

The first gear 12 c formed on the rear end portion 46 of the first stop ring 21 c is rotatably housed in the first gear housing portion 59. The second gear 12 d formed on the rear end portion 46 of the second stop ring 21 d is rotatably housed in the second gear housing portion 60. The intermediate gear 13 is rotatably housed in the intermediate gear housing portion 61. In the first casing 14 b, the first and second gears 12 c, 12 d and the intermediate gear 13 are respectively housed in the first and second gear housing portions 59, 60 and the intermediate gear housing portion 61. Because of this, the gears 12 c, 12 d, 13 are laterally arranged, the first gear 12 c and the intermediate gear 13 are circumscribed, and the second gear 12 d and the intermediate gear 13 are circumscribed.

A rotation regulating projection 95 (rotating angle regulating unit) projecting inward in the radial direction of the housing portion 59 is formed on the first gear housing portion 59 (inner periphery surface of the first casing 14 b). Since the abutting projection 93 formed on the first gear 12 c abuts on the rotation regulating projection 95, the rotation of the first stop ring 21 c (first plug frame 20 c) is prevented. A rotation regulating projection 95 (rotating angle regulating unit) projecting inward in the radial direction of the housing portion 60 is formed on the second gear housing portion 60 (inner periphery surface of the first casing 14 b). Since the abutting projection 93 formed on the second gear 12 d abuts on the rotation regulating projection 95 of the second gear housing portion 60, the rotation of the second stop ring 21 d (second plug frame 20 d) is prevented.

The rotating angle of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d (first and second stop rings 21 c, 21 d) is determined by a forming position of the rotation regulating projection 95 with respect to the first gear housing portion 59 and the second gear housing portion 60. In the optical connector plug 10B, the rotation range of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d from a starting point to a finishing point of the rotation is limited to be a half-rotation (rotating angle is 180°).

As shown in FIG. 40, the first casing 14 b is formed by connecting the first casings 14 b which are separated into two parts in the vertical direction. When the casings 14 b are connected, a fitting claw 62 formed on the lower casing 14 b is engaged with a fitting hole 63 formed on the upper casing 14 b. Thus, the casings 14 b are integrated. The front end portion of the pipe 91 is engaged with the rear end portion of the first casing 14 b.

FIG. 43 is a top view of the second casing 15 b. FIG. 44 is a front view of the second casing 15 b. FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow XII-XII in FIG. 43. The second casing 15 b is made of a synthetic resin material. The second casing 15 b includes a top wall 64 and a bottom wall 65 which are separately facing each other in the vertical direction and extending in the axial direction. The second casing 15 a also includes side walls 66, 67 which are separately facing each other in the lateral direction and extending in the axial direction. The second casing 15 a also includes a guide wall 68 extending upward from the side walls 66, 67 and extending in the axial direction.

The second casing 15 b includes a front end opening 69 opened at the front end of the second casing 15 b, a rear end opening 70 opened at the rear end of the second casing 15 b, and a pair of engagement latches 71 located at the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 b. At an approximately center of the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 b, engagement-insertion projections 96 projected inward in the radial direction from the inner periphery surface of the top wall 64 are formed. At an approximately center of the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 b, engagement-insertion projections 96 projected inward in the radial direction from the inner periphery surface of the bottom wall 65 are formed. At a tip of the center of the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 b, an engagement-insertion key 73 extending in the axial direction is formed.

The engagement latches 71 are laterally separated with each other by a predetermined length and extending straightly in the axial direction in parallel with each other. The engagement latches 71 include a connection portion 74 connected to the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 b and a free portion 75 extending in the axial direction from the connection portion 74 to be exposed (extended) from the front end opening 69 by a predetermined length forward in the axial direction. An engagement key 76 is formed on a tip of the free portion 75. The free portion 75 has a flexibility and capable of being elastically deformed downward.

The second casing 15 b can house the first casing 14 b in a state that the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 b faces to the top wall 51 of the first casing 14 b and the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 b faces to the bottom wall 52 of the first casing 14 b. On the contrary, the second casing 15 b can house the first casing 14 b in a state that the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 b faces to the bottom wall 52 of the first casing 14 b and the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 b faces to the top wall 51 of the first casing 14 b. The second casing 15 b can house the first casing 14 b in a state that the first casing 14 b is vertically reversed.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the slider 16 b. FIG. 47 is a front view of the slider 16 b. FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow XIII-XIII in FIG. 47. The slider 16 b is made of a synthetic resin material. The slider 16 b includes a box 77 connected to the rear end portion of the second casing 15 b, a sliding top wall 78 (sliding plate) extending forward in the axial direction from a top portion of the box 77, and a guide wall 79 extending downward and in the axial direction from both sides of the sliding top wall 78. The slider 16 b includes a front end opening 80 opened at the front end of the box 77 and a rear end opening 81 opened at the rear end of the box 77. At both sides of the lower surface of the tip end portion of the sliding top wall 78, a pair of inclined planes 82 gradually inclined downward from the front end of the slider 16 b to rearward in the axial direction is formed. At a center of the lower surface of the tip end portion of the sliding top wall 78, a key engagement portion 83 is formed to engageably insert the engagement-insertion key 73 of the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 b.

The slider 16 b is located at the rear side in the axial direction of the second casing 15 b. The box 77 of the slider 16 b is located at the rear side in the axial direction of the rear end portion of the second casing 15 b. The slider 16 b is connected to the second casing 15 b slidably in the axial direction. In a state that the slider 16 b is connected to the second casing 15 b, the guide wall 79 of the slider 16 b is located inside the guide wall 68 of the second casing 15 b, the engagement-insertion key 73 is engageably inserted in the key engagement portion 83 of the sliding top wall 78 of the slider 16 b, and the inclined planes 82 of the sliding top wall 78 of the slider 16 b abuts on the upper surface of the engagement latches 71.

The slider 16 b is slidable on an upper surface of the engagement latches 71 forward and backward in the axial direction. When the slider 16 b is slid backward in the axial direction with respect to the second casing 15 b, the inclined planes 82 of the slider 16 b presses the engagement latches 71 downward and the inclined planes 82 pushes down the engagement latches 71.

The caulking ring 17 is located at the rear side in the axial direction of the pipe 91 engaged with the rear end portion of the first casing 14 b. The front end portion of the caulking ring 17 is engaged with the rear end portion of the pipe 91 and inserted inside the boot 18 so that an inner peripheral surface of the caulking ring 17 is in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of the pipe 91. The boot 18 is connected to the first casing 14 b via the pipe 91 and the caulking ring 17 so that an inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral surface of the boot 18 is in close contact with an outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the caulking ring 17. The first optical fiber core wire incorporating the first optical fiber 24 a and the second optical fiber core wire incorporating the second optical fiber 24 b are integrated into one in the first casing 14 a to form an optical fiber cord 90. The optical fiber cord 90 is inserted in the caulking ring 17 and extended outward from the rear end of the caulking ring 17.

The procedure of rotating the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d of the optical connector plug 10B is approximately same as the procedure of the optical connector plug 10A. However, the procedure will be briefly explained below. While the second casing 15 b is held, the first casing 14 b is pressed forward in the axial direction to release the engagement between the engagement-insertion recesses 94 formed on the top wall 51 and the bottom wall 52 of the first casing 14 b and the engagement-insertion projections 96 formed on the top wall 64 and the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 b. Then, the first casing 14 b drawn out forward in the axial direction from the second casing 15 b. After the first casing 14 b is drawn out from the second casing 15 b, the first optical connector assembly 11 a (one of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated in the clockwise direction, for example (shown in FIG. 23).

In the optical connector plug 10B, when the first optical connector assembly 11 a (one of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated around its axis in the clockwise direction, the first gear 12 c (one of the gears) is rotated in the clockwise direction and the intermediate gear 13 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by the rotation of the first gear 12 c. The rotational force (rotation) of the first gear 12 c is transmitted to the second gear 12 d (the other of the gears) by the intermediate gear 13, and the second gear 12 d is rotated around its axis interlockingly with the first gear 12 c in the same clockwise direction (same direction) as the first gear 12 c. Thereby, the second optical connector assembly 11 d is rotated in the clockwise direction.

Since the gear ratio of the gears 12 c, 12 d, 13 is 1:1:1, when the first optical connector assembly 11 c is rotated in the clockwise direction, the second optical connector assembly 11 d (the other of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated in the clockwise direction by the same rotating angle as the first optical connector assembly 11 c. In the optical connector plug 10B, by using the gears 12 c, 12 d, 13, the other of the optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d can be rotated in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d. In addition, since the gear ratio of the gears 12 c, 12 d, 13 is 1:1:1, the rotation range from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation can be the same between the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d. When one of the optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d is rotated, the other of the optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d can be rotated to the same position as the one of the optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d.

When the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are rotated in the clockwise direction by a half-rotation (180°) (half-rotation from the starting point to the finishing point), the abutting projection 93 (rotating angle regulating unit) formed on the first and second gears 12 c, 12 d abuts on the rotation regulating projection 95 (rotating angle regulating unit) formed on the first and second gear housing portions 59, 60 of the first casing 14 b. Thus, the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d in the clockwise direction is stopped.

After the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are rotated in the clockwise direction by a half-rotation (180°), the second casing 15 b (including the slider 16 b) is rotated in the clockwise direction (or the counterclockwise direction) by a half-rotation (180°) (shown in FIG. 24). When the second casing 15 b is rotated by a half-rotation (180°), the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 b is positioned at the bottom wall 52 side of the first casing 14 b and the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 b is positioned at the top wall 51 side of the first casing 14 b.

Then, the second casing 15 b is moved forward in the longitudinal direction toward the first casing 14 b, the first casing 14 b is pressed (housed) inside the second casing 15 b so that the bottom wall 52 of the first casing 14 b faces to the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 b and the top wall 51 of the first casing 14 b faces to the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 b. Thus, the engagement-insertion projections 96 of the top wall 64 and the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 b are engageably inserted in the engagement-insertion recesses 94 of the top wall 51 and the bottom wall 52 of the first casing 14 b. The polarity reversal method for reversing the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug 10B is performed by simultaneously rotating the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d in the clockwise direction by a half-rotation (180°).

After the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug 10B is reversed, the engagement between the engagement-insertion recesses 94 and the engagement-insertion projections 96 is released, the first casing 14 b is drawn out forward in the axial direction from the second casing 15 b, and the second optical connector assembly 11 d (one of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. When the second optical connector assembly 11 d (one of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated around its axis in the counterclockwise direction, the second gear 12 d (one of the gears) is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and the intermediate gear 13 is rotated in the clockwise direction by the rotation of the second gear 12 d. The rotational force (rotation) of the second gear 12 d is transmitted to the first gear 12 c (the other of the gears) by the intermediate gear 13, and the first gear 12 c is rotated around its axis interlockingly with the second gear 12 d in the same counterclockwise direction (same direction) same as the second gear 12 d. Thereby, the first optical connector assembly 11 a is rotated in the counterclockwise direction.

Since the gear ratio of the gears is 1, when the second optical connector assembly 11 d is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the first optical connector assembly 11 a is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by the same rotating angle as second optical connector assembly 11 d. When the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are rotated in the counterclockwise direction by a half-rotation (180°) (half-rotation from the starting point to the finishing point), the abutting projection 93 (rotating angle regulating unit) abuts on the rotation regulating projection 95 (rotating angle regulating unit). Thus, the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d in the counterclockwise direction is stopped.

After the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are rotated in the counterclockwise direction by a half-rotation (180°), the second casing 15 b (including the slider 16 b) is rotated in the clockwise direction (or the counterclockwise direction) by a half-rotation (180°). When the second casing 15 b is rotated by a half-rotation, the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 b is positioned at the top wall 51 side of the first casing 14 b and the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 b is positioned at the bottom wall 52 side of the first casing 14 b.

Then, the second casing 15 b is moved forward in the longitudinal direction toward the first casing 14 b, the first casing 14 b is pressed (housed) inside the second casing 15 b so that the top wall 51 of the first casing 14 b faces to the top wall 64 of the second casing 15 b and the bottom wall 52 of the first casing 14 b faces to the bottom wall 65 of the second casing 15 b. Thus, the engagement-insertion projections 96 are engageably inserted in the engagement-insertion recesses 94. The polarity reversal method for reversing the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug 10B is performed by simultaneously rotating the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d in the counterclockwise direction by a half-rotation (180°).

By performing the polarity reversal method, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d is rotated around its axis from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation (180°), the other of the optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d is interlockingly rotated around its axis from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation (180°) in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d. Thereby, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug 10B can be reversed.

In order to connect the duplex optical connector plug 10A, 10B with the optical connector adapter, the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are inserted inside the optical connector adapter from insertion opening of the optical connector adapter. When the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are inserted into the optical connector adapter, the free portion 75 of the engagement latches 71 extending forward in the axial direction from the top wall 64 of the second casings 15 enters in the optical connector adapter, the engagement key 76 of the free portion 75 of the engagement latches 71 is engaged with the key engagement portion of the optical connector adapter. Thus, the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are maintained to be inserted in the optical connector adapter.

In the state that the engagement key 76 of the free portion 75 of the engagement latches 71 is engaged with the key engagement portion of the optical connector adapter, the sliders 16 a, 16 b are not slid backward in the axial direction with respect to the second casings 15 a, 15 b. In a state that the sliders 16 a, 16 b are not slid backward in the axial direction with respect to the second casings 15 a, 15 b, the engagement latches 71 are maintained to be engaged with the optical connector adapter. In order to release the connection between the optical connector plug 10 and the optical connector adapter, the slider 16 a or the slider 16 b is slid backward in the axial direction from the state that the engagement key 76 of the free portion 75 of the engagement latches 71 is engaged with the key engagement portion of the optical connector adapter.

When the slider 16 a or the slider 16 b is slid backward in the axial direction, the inclined planes 82 of the sliding top wall 78 of the sliders 16 a, 16 b pushes down the engagement latches 71. Thereby, the engagement key 76 of the free portion 75 of the engagement latches 71 is moved to the lower side of the key engagement portion of the optical connector adapter, and the engagement key 76 is removed from the key engagement portion of the optical connector adapter. Thus, the engagement state of the engagement key 76 of the free portion 75 of the engagement latches 71 with respect to the key engagement portion of the optical connector adapter is released. Since the engagement state of the engagement key 76 of the free portion 75 of the engagement latches 71 with respect to the key engagement portion of the optical connector adapter is released, the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d can be pulled out from the inside of the optical connector adapter.

In the duplex optical connector plugs 10A, 10B, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or one of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d is rotated around its axis in the clockwise direction or the counterclockwise direction, the other of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d is interlockingly and simultaneously rotated around its axis in the same direction (clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction) as the one of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d by the same rotating angle. Thus, only by rotating one of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d, the other of the connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d can be simultaneously rotated in the same direction as the one of optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d by the same rotating angle.

In the duplex optical connector plugs 10A, 10B, the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are simultaneously rotated in the same direction by the same rotating angle. Thus, the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d can be simultaneously rotated by one rotating operation (one action). Therefore, labor and time can be saved compared to the case of separately rotating the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d.

In the duplex optical connector plugs 10A, 10B (polarity reversal method), the rotating angle of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation is limited to the half-rotation (180°) by using the rotating angle regulating unit (abutting projection 50 and rotation regulating projection 57 a, abutting projection 93 and rotation regulating projection 95). For example, when reversing the polarity of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d, the polarity of the optical connector plug 10A, 10B can be surely and accurately reversed by stopping the rotation at the position of being rotated by a half-rotation (180°) in the clockwise direction. On the contrary, the polarity of the optical connector plug 10A, 10B can be certainly and accurately returned to the original state by rotating the clockwisely rotated optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d in the counterclockwise direction by a half-rotation (180°).

In the duplex optical connector plugs 10A, 10B, for example, when reversing the polarity of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d, the polarity of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d can be reversed by rotating one of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or one of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d. Otherwise, the polarity of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d can be reversed by housing the first casings 14 a, 14 b in the second casing 15 a, 15 b in a state that the first casings 14 a, 14 b are vertically reversed.

In the polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plugs 10A, 10B, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d is rotated around its axis from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation (180°), the other of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d is interlockingly rotated around its axis in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half rotation (180°). Thus, the polarity of the duplex optical connector plugs 10A, 10B can be reversed only by rotating one of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d by a half-rotation (180°).

In the polarity reversal method, since the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b are simultaneously rotated in the same direction or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are simultaneously rotated in the same direction, the polarity of the optical connector plug 10A or the optical connector plug 10B can be reversed by one rotating operation (one action). Therefore, labor and time can be saved compared to the case of separately rotating the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d to reverse the polarity of the optical connector plug 10A, 10B.

FIG. 49 is a top view showing a state that after the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b are rotated by a quarter-rotation (90°). FIG. 50 is a side view in a state after the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b are rotated by a quarter-rotation (90°). FIG. 51 is a partially enlarged view of the first and second ferrules 19 a, 19 b shown in the top view of FIG. 49. FIG. 52 is a partially enlarged view of the first ferrule 19 a shown in the side view of FIG. 50. With reference to the above drawings (including FIGS. 53 to 59), the ferrule polishing method concerning the present invention will be explained in detail below. Although the ferrule polishing method is illustrated by using the optical connector plug 10A as an example in FIGS. 49 to 59, the ferrule polishing method using the optical connector plug 10B as an example is same as the method of using the optical connector plug 10A. Accordingly, the optical connector plug 10B is included in the following explanation of the ferrule polishing method.

In the ferrule polishing method, the capillary 23 a, 23 b of the first and second ferrules 19 a, 19 b of the optical connector plug 10A or the optical connector plug 10B are simultaneously polished by angled polishing (polished obliquely). In the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b of the optical connector plug 10 in the state of FIG. 1, for example, the first optical connector assembly 11 a (one of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated around its axis in the clockwise direction by a quarter-rotation (90°) or the first optical connector assembly 11 c (one of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated around its axis in the clockwise direction by a quarter-rotation (90°). Because of this, the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are rotated in the clockwise direction by a quarter-rotation (90°) as shown in FIGS. 49, 50. Before polishing the first and second ferrules 19 a, 19 b by angled polishing, the tip surface 25 of the first and second ferrules 19 a, 19 b is a surface extending perpendicularly to the radial direction.

When the first optical connector assembly 11 a (one of the optical connector assemblies) or the first optical connector assembly 11 c (one of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated around its axis from the starting point of the rotation in the clockwise direction by a quarter-rotation (90°), the first gear 12 a (one of the gears) or the first gear 12 c (one of the gears) is rotated in the clockwise direction, and the intermediate gear 13 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by the rotation of the first gear 12 a or the first gear 12 c. The rotational force (rotation) of the first gear 12 a or the first gear 12 c is transmitted to the second gear 12 b (the other of the gears) or the second gear 12 d (the other of the gears) by the intermediate gear 13, and the second gear 12 b, 12 d is rotated around its axis interlockingly with the first gear 12 a, 12 c in the clockwise direction which is the same direction as the first gear 12 a, 12 c. Thereby, the second optical connector assembly 11 b or the second optical connector assembly 11 d is rotated from the starting point of the rotation in the clockwise direction by a quarter-rotation (90°).

FIG. 53 is a top view of the optical connector plugs 10A, 10B in a state of being installed on the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84. FIG. 54 is a side view of the optical connector plugs 10A, 10B in a state of being installed on the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84. FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view cut along an arrow XIV-XIV in FIG. 53. In FIGS. 53 to 55, an optical fiber ferrule polishing device 86 is partly shown. In FIG. 55, only the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84 and the optical fiber ferrule polishing device 86 are shown by the cross section.

In a state that the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are rotated in the clockwise direction by a quarter-rotation (90°), the optical connector plug 10A or the optical connector plug 10B is set on a conventionally known optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84 as shown in FIGS. 53, 54. Alternatively, the optical connector plug 10A or the optical connector plug 10B is set on the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84 in a state that the optical connector plug 10A or the optical connector plug 10B is assembled so that the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are rotated in the clockwise direction by a quarter-rotation (90°). In the optical connector plug 10A, the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b are detachably inserted into a fixing recess 85 of the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84 and fixed to the fixing recess 85. In the optical connector plug 10B, the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are detachably inserted into a fixing recess 85 of the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84 and fixed to the fixing recess 85.

When the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b of the optical connector plug 10A are fixed to the fixing recess 85 of the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84 or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d of the optical connector plug 10B are fixed to the fixing recess 85 of the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84, an axis line L2 of the optical connector plug 10 is inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to a vertical axis L1. Thus, the optical connector plug 10A or the optical connector plug 10B is set on the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84 in an inclined state. The figures show a state that one of the optical connector plugs 10A, 10B is set on the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84. However, actually, a plurality of fixing recesses 85 is annularly arranged on the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84, the optical connector plugs 10A, 10B are fixed to the fixing recesses 85, and a plurality of optical connector plugs 10A, 10B is simultaneously polished.

After the optical connector plug 10A or the optical connector plug 10B is set on the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84, the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84 is set on a conventionally known optical fiber ferrule polishing device 86. When the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84 is set on the optical fiber ferrule polishing device 86, as shown in FIG. 55, the first capillary 23 a of the first ferrule 19 a abuts (contacts) on a polishing film 88 attached to a rubber pad 87 of the optical fiber ferrule polishing device 86 in an inclined state, and the second capillary 23 b of the second ferrule 19 b abuts (contacts) on the polishing film 88 in an inclined state. The tip surface 25 and the chamfered portion 26 of the first and second capillaries 23 a, 23 b abut on the polishing film 88.

After the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84 is set on the optical fiber ferrule polishing device 86, when the optical fiber ferrule polishing device 86 is operated, rotation and revolution motions of a polishing disc 89 of the optical fiber ferrule polishing device 86 are started, the tip surface 25 and the chamfered portion 26 of the first and second capillaries 23 a, 23 b are polished by angled polishing by the polishing film 88 attached to the rubber pad 87.

FIG. 56 is a side view of the optical connector plugs 10A, 10B in a state that after the first and second capillaries 23 a, 23 b are polished. FIG. 57 is a partially enlarged view of the first ferrule 19 a shown in the side view of FIG. 56. After the tip surface 25 and the chamfered portion 26 of the first and second capillaries 23 a, 23 b are polished by the optical fiber ferrule polishing device 86, the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b of the optical connector plug 10A or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d of the optical connector plug 10B are pulled out from the fixing recess 85 of the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84, and the optical connector plug 10A or the optical connector plug 10B is removed from the optical fiber ferrule polishing holder 84.

The angled polished tip surface 25 and chamfered portion 26 of the first capillary 23 a are, as shown in FIGS. 56, 57, inclined from the top wall 33 of the first plug frame 20 a or the first plug frame 20 c toward the bottom wall 34 so as to gradually approach the bottom wall 34. The angled polished tip surface 25 and chamfered portion 26 of the second capillary 23 b are inclined from the top wall 33 of the second plug frame 20 b or the second plug frame 20 d to the bottom wall 34 so as to gradually approach the bottom wall 34.

FIG. 58 is a top view of the optical connector plug 10A or the optical connector plug 10B in a state that after the first and second capillaries 23 a, 23 b are polished. FIG. 59 is a partially enlarged view of the first and second ferrules 19 a, 19 b shown in the top view of FIG. 58. After the first and second capillaries 23 a, 23 b are polished, for example, the second optical connector assembly 11 b (one of the optical connector assemblies) or the second optical connector assembly 11 d (one of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated around its axis in the counterclockwise direction by a quarter-rotation (90°) from the state of FIG. 56. Thereby, the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d are rotated in the counterclockwise direction by a quarter-rotation (90°).

When the second optical connector assembly 11 b (one of the optical connector assemblies) or the second optical connector assembly 11 d (one of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated around its axis in the counterclockwise direction by a quarter-rotation (90°), the second gear 12 b (one of the gears) or the second gear 12 d (one of the gears) is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and the intermediate gear 13 is rotated in the clockwise direction by the rotation of the second gears 12 b, 12 d. The rotational force (rotation) of the second gears 12 b, 12 d is transmitted to the first gear 12 a (the other of the gears) or the first gear 12 c (the other of the gears) by the intermediate gear 13, and the first gear 12 a, 12 c is rotated around its axis interlockingly with the second gears 12 b, 12 d in the counterclockwise direction which is the same direction as the second gears 12 b, 12 d. Thereby, the first optical connector assembly 11 a (the other of the optical connector assemblies) or the first optical connector assembly 11 c (the other of the optical connector assemblies) is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by a quarter-rotation (90°).

By rotating the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b in the counterclockwise direction a quarter-rotation (90°) from the state of FIG. 56, the optical connector plug 10A is returned to the state of FIG. 1 and the optical connector plug 10B is returned to the state of the FIG. 27. The angled polished tip surface 25 and chamfered portion 26 of the first capillary 23 a are, as shown in FIG. 59, inclined from the side wall 36 (one of the side walls of the first plug frame 20 a) to the side wall 35 (the other of the side walls of the first plug frame 20 a) so as to gradually approach the side wall 35. The angled polished tip surface 25 and chamfered portion 26 of the second capillary 23 b are inclined from the side wall 36 (one of the side walls of the second plug frame 20 b) to the side wall 35 (the other of the side walls of the second plug frame 20 b) so as to gradually approach the side wall 35. In the optical connector plugs 10A, 10B shown in FIG. 59, the first and second capillaries 23 a, 23 b are obliquely inclined in the same direction.

In the ferrule polishing method of the first and second ferrules 19 a, 19 b, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or one of the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d is rotated around its axis by a quarter-rotation (90°) from the starting point of the rotation, the other of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d is interlockingly rotated around its axis in the same direction as the one of the optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d by a quarter-rotation (90°) from the starting point of the rotation. Thus, the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d can be simultaneously rotated in the same direction by a quarter-rotation (90°) by one rotating operation (one action). Therefore, the first and second ferrules 19 a, 19 b can be simultaneously polished by angled polishing by polishing the first and second capillaries 23 a, 23 b using the optical fiber ferrule polishing device 86 in a state that the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d are rotated by a quarter-rotation (90°).

In the ferrule polishing method, labor and time of separately rotating the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 a, 11 b or the first and second optical connector assemblies 11 c, 11 d to polish the first and second ferrules 19 a, 19 b by angled polishing can be saved. Therefore, the first and second ferrules 19 a, 19 b can be rapidly and efficiently polished by angled polishing. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A duplex optical connector plug, comprising: a first optical connector assembly; and a second optical connector assembly which is in parallel with the first optical connector assembly, wherein the first optical connector assembly has: a first plug frame for housing a first ferrule which holds a first optical fiber and extends in an axial direction; a first stop ring which is engageably inserted into the first plug frame; and a first spring which is arranged between the first ferrule and the first stop ring for biasing the first ferrule forward in the axial direction, the second optical connector assembly has: a second plug frame for housing a second ferrule which holds a second optical fiber and extends in the axial direction; a second stop ring which is engageably inserted into the second plug frame; and a second spring which is arranged between the second ferrule and the second stop ring for biasing the second ferrule forward in the axial direction, in the duplex optical connector plug, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around the axis of the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, the other of the first and second optical connector assemblies is interlockingly rotated around the axis of the other of the first and second optical connector assemblies in the same direction as the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies.
 2. The duplex optical connector plug according to claim 1, wherein a first gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the first stop ring, a second gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the second stop ring, the duplex optical connector plug includes an intermediate gear which is interposed between the first gear and the second gear, extended in the axial direction, and circumscribed to the first and second gears, and the intermediate gear transmits a rotational force of one of the first and second gears to the other of the first and second gears and rotates the other of the first and second gears in the same direction as the one of the first and second gears.
 3. The duplex optical connector plug according to claim 2, wherein in the duplex optical connector plug, a gear ratio of the first gear, the second gear and the intermediate gear is 1:1:1.
 4. The duplex optical connector plug according to claim 3, wherein the duplex optical connector plug includes a first casing for housing: the rear end portion of the first stop ring on which the first gear is formed; the rear end portion of the second stop ring on which the second gear is formed; and the intermediate gear, and the first casing has a first gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the first stop ring, a second gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the second stop ring and an intermediate gear housing portion arranged between the first and second gear housing portions for rotatably housing the intermediate gear.
 5. The duplex optical connector plug according to claim 4, wherein the duplex optical connector plug includes a rotating angle regulating unit which regulates a rotating angle of at least one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, the first casing has a first opening opened at the front end of the first casing for inserting the first stop ring and a second opening opened at the front end of the first casing for inserting the second stop ring, the rotating angle regulating unit comprises: a rotation regulating projection formed on at least one of the first and second openings, the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the first and second openings; and an abutting projection formed on a peripheral surface of at least one of the first and second stop rings, the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the peripheral surface, in the duplex optical connector plug, the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is prevented when the abutting projection abuts on the rotation regulating projection, and a rotation range from a starting point to a finishing point of the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is a half-rotation when the rotation is regulated by the rotating angle regulating unit.
 6. The duplex optical connector plug according to claim 4, wherein the duplex optical connector plug includes a rotating angle regulating unit which regulates a rotating angle of at least one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, the rotating angle regulating unit comprises: an abutting projection formed on at least one of the first and second gears, the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the first and second gears; and a rotation regulating projection formed on at least one of the first gear housing portion and the second gear housing portion of the first casing, the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the first gear housing portion and the second gear housing portion, in the duplex optical connector plug, the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is prevented when the abutting projection abuts on the rotation regulating projection, and a rotation range from a starting point to a finishing point of the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is a half-rotation when the rotation is regulated by the rotating angle regulating unit.
 7. The duplex optical connector plug according to claim 4, wherein the duplex optical connector plug includes a second casing for housing the first casing in the axial direction, the second casing has a front end opening opened at the front end of the second casing and an engagement latch extending in the axial direction from a top wall of the second casing so as to be exposed forward in the axial direction from the front end opening, and when the first and second optical connector assemblies are inserted into an optical connector adapter, the engagement latch is detachably engaged with the optical connector adapter to maintain the state that the first and second optical connector assemblies are inserted into the optical connector adapter.
 8. The duplex optical connector plug according to claim 7, wherein the second casing can house the first casing in a state that the top wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing or in a state that the top wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing.
 9. The duplex optical connector plug according to claim 7, wherein the slider has a sliding top wall which is slidable on an upper surface of the engagement latch in the axial direction, the sliding top wall having an inclined plane gradually inclined downward from the front end of the slider to rearward in the axial direction, and in the duplex optical connector plug, when the slider is slid rearward in the axial direction with respect to the second casing, the engagement latch is pushed down by the inclined plane of the sliding top wall.
 10. A duplex optical connector plug, comprising: a first optical connector assembly; and a second optical connector assembly which is in parallel with the first optical connector assembly, wherein the first optical connector assembly has: a first plug frame for housing a first ferrule which holds a first optical fiber and extends in an axial direction; a first stop ring which is engageably inserted into the first plug frame; and a first spring which is arranged between the first ferrule and the first stop ring for biasing the first ferrule forward in the axial direction, the second optical connector assembly has: a second plug frame for housing a second ferrule which holds a second optical fiber and extends in the axial direction; a second stop ring which is engageably inserted into the second plug frame; and a second spring which is arranged between the second ferrule and the second stop ring for biasing the second ferrule forward in the axial direction, the duplex optical connector plug has gears which transmit a rotational force of one of the first and second optical connector assemblies to the other of the first and second optical connector assemblies, and in the duplex optical connector plug, when one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around the axis of the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, the other of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around the axis of the other of the first and second optical connector assemblies by the gears interlockingly with a rotation of the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies.
 11. The duplex optical connector plug according to claim 10, wherein the gears comprise: a first gear which is formed on the rear end portion of the first stop ring and extended in the axial direction; a second gear which is formed on the rear end portion of the second stop ring and extended in the axial direction; and an intermediate gear which is interposed between the first gear and the second gear, extended in the axial direction, and circumscribed to the first and second gears, and the intermediate gear transmits a rotational force of one of the first and second gears to the other of the first and second gears and rotates the other of the first and second gears in the same direction as the one of the first and second gears.
 12. A polarity reversal method for reversing a polarity of a duplex optical connector plug, the duplex optical connector plug comprising: a first optical connector assembly; and a second optical connector assembly which is in parallel with the first optical connector assembly, wherein the first optical connector assembly has: a first plug frame for housing a first ferrule which holds a first optical fiber and extends in an axial direction; a first stop ring which is engageably inserted into the first plug frame; and a first spring which is arranged between the first ferrule and the first stop ring for biasing the first ferrule forward in the axial direction, the second optical connector assembly has: a second plug frame for housing a second ferrule which holds a second optical fiber and extends in the axial direction; a second stop ring which is engageably inserted into the second plug frame; and a second spring which is arranged between the second ferrule and the second stop ring for biasing the second ferrule forward in the axial direction, the polarity reversal method comprising the step of rotating one of the first and second optical connector assemblies around the axis of the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies from a starting point to a finishing point of a rotation by a half-rotation, wherein the other of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around the axis of the other of the first and second optical connector assemblies interlockingly with the rotation of the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation in the same direction as the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, and the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug is reversed by the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies.
 13. The polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug according to claim 12, wherein in the duplex optical connector plug, a first gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the first stop ring, a second gear extending in the axial direction is formed on the rear end portion of the second stop ring, and an intermediate gear which is interposed between the first gear and the second gear and extended in the axial direction is circumscribed to the first and second gears, in the polarity reversal method, the first and second optical connector assemblies are rotated from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation and the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug is reversed by transmitting a rotational force of the one of the first and second gears to the other of the first and second gears using the intermediate gear to rotate both the first and second gears in the same direction by a half-rotation.
 14. A polarity reversal method for reversing a polarity of a duplex optical connector plug, the duplex optical connector plug comprising: a first optical connector assembly; and a second optical connector assembly which is in parallel with the first optical connector assembly, wherein the first optical connector assembly has: a first plug frame for housing a first ferrule which holds a first optical fiber and extends in an axial direction; a first stop ring which is engageably inserted into the first plug frame; and a first spring which is arranged between the first ferrule and the first stop ring for biasing the first ferrule forward in the axial direction, the second optical connector assembly has: a second plug frame for housing a second ferrule which holds a second optical fiber and extends in the axial direction; a second stop ring which is engageably inserted into the second plug frame; and a second spring which is arranged between the second ferrule and the second stop ring for biasing the second ferrule forward in the axial direction, wherein the duplex optical connector plug has gears which transmit a rotational force of the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies to the other of the first and second optical connector assemblies, and the polarity reversal method comprising the step of rotating one of the first and second optical connector assemblies around the axis of the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies from a starting point to a finishing point of a rotation by a half-rotation, wherein the other of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around the axis of the other of the first and second optical connector assemblies by the gears interlockingly with the rotation of the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation in the same direction as the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, and the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug is reversed by the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies.
 15. The polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug according to claim 14, wherein the gears comprise: a first gear which is formed on the rear end portion of the first stop ring and extended in the axial direction; a second gear which is formed on the rear end portion of the second stop ring and extended in the axial direction; and an intermediate gear which is interposed between the first gear and the second gear, extended in the axial direction, and circumscribed to the first and second gears, the intermediate gear transmits a rotational force of one of the first and second gears to the other of the first and second gears and rotates the other of the first and second gears in the same direction as the one of the first and second gears, and in the polarity reversal method, the first and second optical connector assemblies are rotated from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation and the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug is reversed by transmitting a rotational force of the one of the first and second gears to the other of the first and second gears using the intermediate gear to rotate both the first and second gears in the same direction by a half-rotation.
 16. The polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug according to claim 15, wherein the duplex optical connector plug includes a first casing having a first gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the first stop ring on which the first gear is formed, a second gear housing portion for rotatably housing the rear end portion of the second stop ring on which the second gear is formed, and an intermediate gear housing portion located between the first and second gear housing portions for rotatably housing the intermediate gear, and in the polarity reversal method, the first and second optical connector assemblies are rotated from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation and the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug is reversed by transmitting the rotational force of the one of the first and second gears housed in the first and second gear housing portions to the other of the first and second gears using the intermediate gear housed in the intermediate gear housing portion to rotate both the first and second gears in the same direction by a half-rotation.
 17. The polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug according to claim 16, wherein the duplex optical connector plug includes a rotating angle regulating unit which regulates a rotating angle of at least one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, the first casing has a first opening opened at the front end of the first casing for inserting the first stop ring and a second opening opened at the front end of the first casing for inserting the second stop ring, the rotating angle regulating unit comprises: a rotation regulating projection formed on at least one of the first and second openings, the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the first and second openings; and an abutting projection formed on a peripheral surface of at least one of the first and second stop rings, the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the peripheral surface, in the polarity reversal method, the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is prevented and the rotation range of the first and second optical connector assemblies is limited to the half-rotation when the abutting projection abuts on the rotation regulating projection.
 18. The polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug according to claim 17, wherein the second casing can house the first casing in a state that the top wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing or in a state that the top wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing, thus the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be reversed.
 19. The polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug according to claim 18, wherein in the polarity reversal method, the first casing is drawn out forward in the axial direction from the second casing and the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies is rotated around the axis of the one of the first and second optical connector assemblies from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation, the other of the first and second optical connector assemblies is interlockingly rotated around the axis of the other of the first and second optical connector assemblies from the starting point to the finishing point of the rotation by a half-rotation, and the first casing is housed in the second casing so that the top wall of the second casing faces to the bottom wall of the first casing and the bottom wall of the second casing faces to the top wall of the first casing, thus the polarity of the duplex optical connector plug can be reversed.
 20. The polarity reversal method of the duplex optical connector plug according to claim 16, wherein the duplex optical connector plug includes a rotating angle regulating unit which regulates a rotating angle of at least one of the first and second optical connector assemblies, the rotating angle regulating unit comprises: an abutting projection formed on a peripheral surface of at least one of the first gear and the second gear, the abutting projection projecting outward in the radial direction of the first and second gears; and a rotation regulating projection formed on at least one of the first gear housing portion and the second gear housing portion of the first casing, the rotation regulating projection projecting inward in the radial direction of the first gear housing portion and the second gear housing portion, in the polarity reversal method, the rotation of the first and second optical connector assemblies is prevented and the rotation range of the first and second optical connector assemblies is limited to the half-rotation when the abutting projection abuts on the rotation regulating projection. 